A hinterland art school, a novel set in a coastal hamlet, an experimental textile project, a visual arts and environmental research project, and a film featuring the ocean and Otways – the depth of the 2022 Arts Development Seed Fund has been revealed.
Surf Coast Shire Council is pleased to announce this year’s successful DEVELOP-funded artists, who will receive grants to enable their bold, aspirational ideas that advance the practice of local creatives and the creative sector.
Winchelsea visual artist Louise Hall, acclaimed Aireys Inlet author Gregory Day, textile artist Kim Wiebenga of Lorne, and Moggs Creek environmental artist and educator Peter Day have been awarded funding, along with Lorne Film.
Councillor Rose Hodge highlighted the strength and diversity of applications.
“We know our community has a strong connection to our natural environment, so it was fascinating – although not surprising – to see that theme shine through in a number of the applications.
“This included Lorne Film’s concept plan for The Woman By The Water, Gregory Day’s plans for his next novel, The Coming of the Dew, and arts activist Peter Day’s project that will research the decline of the barracouta,” Cr Hodge said.
Cr Hodge was thrilled that the program has achieved its aim to stimulate the creative output of artists and producers, enabling them to ‘buy time’ to do the deep practice-based work that outstanding creative merit requires.
“We’re going to see just how valuable this time can be, through Ms Hall opening her purpose-built studio as a learning facility and Ms Wiebenga exploring various ways to form patterns, such as floating ink and dye-resist techniques,” Cr Hodge said.
“One of our Council goals is to acknowledge the value of arts and creativity, and nurture its growth. The Arts Development Seed Fund is doing precisely that. We are excited to see how it will support the selected artists to flourish even further.”
