Showcasing months of work at Port MacDonnell gallery

The response to the Holdfast Art Project has already been overwhelming with the South Australian Living Artists (SALA) community exhibition being unveiled at the Port MacDo9nnell Community Complex earlier this month.

Officially opened by Limestone Coast Landscape Board representative Robbie Davis , the exhibition features 80 works created by 20 artists as a result of five workshops.

More than 100 people attended the opening and the exhibition will be on display until September 29.

The Holdfast Art Project aims to showcase the unique diversity of seaweed/algae on our coastline, using a combination of culture, art and science to improve knowledge of our natural heritage.

Marine biologist and winemaker Dr Kyatt Dixon was charged with selecting five images to be used in signage on the foreshore depicting some of the prominent seaweed and algae washed up on our beaches.

Works by Anne Miles, Kay McDonnell, Sue Shaw, Sally O’Connor and Marianne Tucker were the selected images by Dr Dixon, while Little Blue Wren Gifts & Gallery owners Gareth and Tabatha Williams selected three artists to exhibit their work at the boutique Mount Gambier art gallery in April next year.

Trudy Tandberg, Ruth Schubert and Julie Bignell were the selected artists for the Little Blue Wren exhibition.

The Holdfast Art Project continues to be an interactive and educational project and this Friday night Deakin University PhD student Zoe Brittain (pictured beow far left), from Warrnambool, will be discussing her perspective on seaweed and algae.

The Australian commercial seaweed is often described as one of great potential – for nurturing healthier oceans, creating regional jobs and reducing Australia’s emissions.

Momentum within this industry is building rapidly, with seaweed production framed as a ‘sustainable’ development option for coastal regions, but terminology such as ‘sustainable’ is often vague in its use – leaving space for miscommunication and misunderstanding. This research draws on survey and interview data collected from individuals in Australia to explore the ways in which different people understand ‘sustainability’ in context of seaweed production.

Come along to explore the findings and why transparency around this term is important for the successful future of the industry. Zoe is also welcoming interested community members to join her for a walk on Port MacDonnell beach at 7am on Saturday.

:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18 AUGUST Public address and Q&A session • 6 – 7.30pm PORT MACDONNELL COMMUNITY COMPLEX • 5-7 Charles Street RSVP Call (08)8738 3000 to register your interest

PROJECT LEADERS: Sally O’Connor & Jo Fife at the Holdfast Art Project community exhibition opening

PHOTOS COURTESY OF TIM ROSENTHAL.