CREATIVELY learning is at the heart of the Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre\u2019s Literacy Through Art program led by artist Pauline O\u2019Shannessy-Dowling.<\/p>\n
Over the course of term 4, the class worked towards crafting a series of panels to create a mural for the one of the centre\u2019s exterior walls.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea is to create a mural but also incorporate literacy and numeracy into the program, aimed at people, that for them English is not their first language,\u201d Ms O\u2019Shannessy-Dowling said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s designed to assist people with their language skills, comprehension but also team work and leadership skills with a view to move into the workforce.\u201d<\/p>\n
Volunteer at the Centre\u2019s Our Kitchen program and member of the Literacy Through Art class Irma Mutuc said throughout the creative lessons she surprised herself.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a non-artist I was initially daunted by the thought of taking on such a challenge, especially within the timeframe we were given.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking back on this experience, I view it as one of growth which mirrored my experiences here in the centre over the last few months\u2026 I\u2019m actually really proud.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just got here and staying in this new community, I wanted to find a way to make my mark, understand how the community functions and how to integrate and actually be relevant.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Centre\u2019s community engagement officer Emily Macdonald said with this project and many of the others, the aim is to provide a sense of belonging for community members.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat better way than to have them design and create artworks for the building for the whole community to enjoy?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey look fantastic and we can\u2019t wait to see them installed on the front of the centre.\u201d<\/p>\n
Having run the class this term for the first time, Ms O\u2019Shannessy-Dowling said due to the success of the program they are hoping to continue with another mural project in the new year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have worked on projects like this before within the community in the past \u2026 I try to take a step back and let people do their thing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great way of letting people shine, a couple of the students were nervous about making their mark but part of what I\u2019m trying to get people to explore is their own mark making.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CREATIVELY learning is at the heart of the Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre\u2019s Literacy Through Art program led by artist Pauline O\u2019Shannessy-Dowling. Over the course of term 4, the class worked towards crafting a series of panels to create a mural for the one of the centre\u2019s exterior walls. \u201cThe idea is to create a mural but […]<\/p>\n