Art is an immensely empowering and freeing tool. Through the Thriving Queensland Grant and Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), Christian Tancred of Wild Garden Projects secured funding to engage Art-Work Agency in the facilitation of a series of art-led workshops for a group of at-risk young women.
AW Visual Designer and Stylist, Emma van Zaane was largely involved with the project, acting as a stylist, creative support and designer of the collaborative Zine. Being involved with the participants from the start to finish of the process gave her an extremely unique perspective on the outcomes.
The workshops, delivered collaboration with Miami State High School, were designed for students who were disengaged in traditional modes of education, seeking to improve their self-esteem and engagement concerns.
AW: Who was involved with Miami Art? What were you hoping to achieve from the project?
Emma: Claudio Kirac, Christian Tancred, Laura Strange, Elke Gill and I delivered a series of workshops focused on helping a group of girls; giving them an empowering outlet of creativity and expression. An outcome of the workshops was a creative diary of self-expression exhibited through collage and blackout poetry, a styled fashion photoshoot and digital collage artwork.
Focussing on fashion and emotion, the girls were cast as models in their own fashion photoshoot. Using the images they then digitally combined texture and collage to further their exploration of expression through creativity and art.
At the end of the process, Miami-based Artist Run InitiativeThe Walls GC held an exhibition to showcase the hard work and dedication of the young women. Each took home a limited print zine and their own original artworks.
AW: What was your favourite part of the process?
Emma: It was watching the girls with the least amount of confidence find happiness and self-worth through the workshops. Some of the girls would hardly speak or didn't even want to try, but they became the brightest and most confident of all participants. I'm really proud to have witnessed that.
AW: What are the most important things to consider when running a community-focused workshop?
Emma: Don't have too many expectations. You are dealing with everyday people and it's hard to expect that everyone will have the same amount of enthusiasm for what you do as much as you do. Take it slow, find out what excites them and use that as a growing tool to express creativity.
AW: Tell us about the exhibition featuring the work of all project participants?
Emma: When the workshops were concluded, we had a large amount of photography, workbooks and digital art to sort through. We created a limited edition zine, and I made sure that each girl was represented in the publication on her own page, so they could have something personal and unique to look back on in the future.
After the creation of the zine, we chose an artwork from each participant and printed them in black and white to hang in The Walls’ gallery space. AW Junior Visual Designer and Animator, Elke worked on an animation that looped constantly throughout the opening evening. This was a highlight of the event! Elke is a master of translating mood and emotion through her artwork.
It was incredible to see direct behaviour changes following the program. Teachers and student participants reported increased sense of self-esteem, higher engagement with classmates, increased engagement with their studies and overall improvement in happiness and wellbeing. The program successfully raised awareness of the arts and the role it plays in mental health for improving quality of life for people from all backgrounds.
Thank you to:
Claudio Kirac – Creative Director, photographer, videographer
Christian Tancred (Wild Garden Projects) – Creative Producer, Facilitator and Partner
Emma van Zaane – stylist, designer, creative support
Laura Strange – creative support
Elke Gill – creative support, animator
Lachlan MacLeod – sound and animation support
