North Coast Primary Health Network (NCPHN) is excited to announce that the Art on Bundjalung Country workshop videos will reach new heights. In a definite coup for the Art on Bundjalung Country project – and the featured artists – Virgin Australia has included the full series in their October in-flight entertainment program.
The Art on Bundjalung Country project was initiated in 2017 by an enthusiastic group of art and health professionals. The aim of the project was to engage with our Aboriginal community through the creation of art. Eight art workshops run by skilled facilitators across the Bundjalung Nation provided a safe space to connect with culture and country and engage in meaningful creative activities. The workshops gave Aboriginal community members training in basket weaving, ceramics and painting.
NCPHN’s Video Producer, Jono van Hest, was on hand to document this process, producing eight beautiful video-portraits of the artists facilitating last year’s workshops. The video series captures the diverse local Aboriginal communities and the importance that art plays in fostering culture, connection to community, and to health and wellbeing.
The 2017 Art on Bundjalung Country project was delivered through NCPHN in partnership with Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation, Arts Northern Rivers, Lismore Regional Gallery and the University Centre for Rural Health.
In 2018, NCPHN is again a proud partner of Art on Bundjalung Country, which has continued to grow and evolve on the back of last year’s resounding success. Under the auspices of Arts Northern Rivers, workshops will be delivered in five targeted communities (Tabulam, Grafton, Tweed Heads, Coraki and Lismore).
If you happen to find yourself jet-setting on Virgin this October, do indulge yourself and support these local Aboriginal artists by watching their videos. The films can be found in the ‘Snackable’ selection of shorts.
If you cannot reach to the skies, do not fear – all videos can still be found on demand worldwide and at ground level right here.
Congratulations to all who were involved!