2012 Art is... at the water's edge

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Festival Manager: Kate Finnerty

Art is... transformed from a late March festival to a winter warmer festival over the long weekend in June. This was for a variety of reasons including competing for resources with a number of other events, allowing greater lead time for Community Arts Projects and capitalising on a time when many people from Horsham return to visit family and friends. The change in date was very successful. We had a fantastic response from local media running many stories on the festival and people commented on how great it was to have something to look forward to and do at the start of the colder months.
The festival kicked off with a fabulous opening held at 85 Wilson Street. (an unoccupied building in the Horsham CBD.) This opening was attended by 250 people and was officially launched by Local Member Hugh Delahunty. Galleries on the Side (art displayed in shop fronts) and "At the water's edge" Photographic competition winners were announced and displayed in this venue ensuring a mix of community artists and audience. 85 Wilson Street became the Festival HUB and exhibition/performance space for Future Present, artistic mentoring program. Five emerging artists were mentored by three professional artists to produce new works for the festival; the resulting work included a dynamic mix of visual art, video installation, drawing collaborations and a dance performance.

The following week was full of exhibition openings, live music, cultural trails, author talks, forums from arts funding to fishing, as well as markets, a circus/cabaret show, flash mobs, public workshops in flash mobs, hula hoop making, acrobalance and body percussion.

Highlights include the residency with A.R.A.B (anti-racism action band) working with local youth to develop H.U.M.M. (Horsham United Musical Mayhem). The participants in the HUMM performance took part in a number of high energy rehearsals and workshops with ARAB culminating in a performance at the Wesley Performing Arts Centre.

The feedback on the festival overall has been very positive, from audience and participants.

"We don't get things like that every day, especially in a small town like Horsham and it was especially good to work with professional musicians who perform regularly and work with them towards a performance. The knowledge I've gained has been massive and I'll take it away, remember and use it in the future."
H.U.M.M. performer Will Chilton

"He just loved it. He was so thrilled to be involved and was really sad when it was all over. It really meant the world to him. The people he met and the things he learnt were amazing. I saw him grow. I personally don't think I've ever felt so proud. It was just so special to see him performing."
Will's Mother

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