Golden Plains Shire Council is pleased to deliver the Living Sculptures art project at Edinburgh Reserve in Linton, thanks to a grant from the Australian Government.
In 2021, Council secured a $30,000 grant from the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund provided through Regional Arts Australia, administered in Victoria by Regional Arts Victoria. The project involves the creation of an endemic Indigenous plant community at Edinburgh Reserve, which honours Wadawurrung Country.
Wadawurrung artist Kait James and artist Forest Keegel will work with the community and Wadawarrung Traditional Owners to refine themes and develop concepts. The project will be planted by the Linton community later in the year as an act of reparation that acknowledges the benefits reaped from living on stolen land and seeks to regenerate the reserve.
Community members are invited to a series of workshops in June to contribute their vision for the project, whilst also learning about Wadawurrung culture and history from Traditional Owners.
The project will launch at Edinburgh Reserve on Sunday 12 June, from 12pm, with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Wadawurrung storyteller and song man Barry Gilson, before community members will contribute their visions and ideas for the project. The following two workshops will be held from 2 to 4pm on Saturday 18 June and Saturday 25 June at the Linton Shire Hall, 68 Sussex Street, Linton, and will invite community members to develop the initial ideas into a plan and get creative with some sketching and drawing.
Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble welcomed the funding from the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund to deliver the Living Sculptures project in Linton.
“The Living Sculptures project is a unique piece of art for Linton that community members can contribute to and enjoy for years to come. Council encourages community members from Linton and across the Shire to get involved in the planning and creation of this exciting public artwork.”
Wadawurrung artist Kait James says the project pays deep respect for Wadawurrung living culture.
“Our vision is to collaborate with the community, and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, and we encourage as many people as possible to get involved in the workshops in June.”
Community members who cannot attend the workshops and would like to contribute to the project, can contact Fiona Lee, Council’s Arts and Culture Advisor, on 5220 7320 or email [email protected]
Following the workshops, the plans for the project will be on display at the Linton Shire Hall with feedback welcomed.