Posted May 2011
This project has now been developing over what has sometimes seemed a very long seven years. This time was characterised by bouts of frantic activity followed by periods when nothing much seemed to happen. Since receiving our grants at the end of 2008, however, the project has made continuous steps forward.
Rona Chadwick, of Starfish Consulting, was employed to develop and present a training program for speakers, who would be available to speak about the project to community groups. Each speaker attended a four-hour training session that covered the history of the project, its aims and objectives, the categories of artistic endeavour to be covered, and examples of write-ups on artists to be included in the book. This training programme was funded by the Department of Communities, Office for Women's Policy 2009 Grants Programme. Speakers are available free of charge to address audiences in the metro area, from 10 to large groups, on this interesting and exciting project - the talks will last about 20 minutes, with a further 10 minutes allocated for questions. To book a speaker, contact Judith Parker, Co-Ordinator of Speakers, on 9527 2438 or e-mail judithannparker@bigpond.com.
The research for the book has now been completed, and the illustrations have been selected. Regretfully we have now heard from the Department of Culture and the Arts that we were not successful with our application for a grant to cover most of the costs of printing the book. We are now trying to source other organisations we can apply to, and in the meantime are moving ahead with plans to produce a CD of the research.
GREAT NEWS ON THE CD!
Due to the generous offer of a loan from Judith Parker and the Parker family, the CD of the Honouring Creative Women in WA project is now going ahead. This will be a high quality, lavishly-illustrated production and is scheduled for publication in July. The regular price will be $20 plus postage, packing and handling, but until the end of July it will be offered at the special pre-publication price of $15 + P/P/H.
These 100 profiles reveal the richness and depth of the arts scene in WA from colonization to the present. There are opera singers, ballet and belly dancers, concert pianists, writers, painters, sculptors, landscape artists, fashion designers and even a male impersonator! All have achieved recognition with many acquiring international status, and while the profiles have been written for the general pubhlic, this CD will provide a handy reference for students, researchers, collectors and anyone who wants to learn about WA's top creative women, as well, of course, as making an ideal gift for anyone with a passion for the arts.
AN ORDER FORM WILL BE INCLUDED HERE SHORTLY - WATCH THIS SPACE!
The State Library of WA has asked permission to archive this website in their 'Pandora' archives, as it is considered 'a significant cultural icon'. By including electronic publications that are considered to have national significance, these archives aim to ensure that Australians have access to their documentary heritage now and in the future.
We would like to express our thanks to the Department for Communities for extending the period for their grant, which was necessary due to unforeseen delays.
Our website is already proving to be a useful research tool - it was visited by the curatorial staff at Parliament House in Canberra who were seeking information about the sculptor of a bust of Senator Dorothy Tangney. Hetty Finley, the sculptor concerned, was one of the entries featured on this website.
Artists' Profiles
The sample profiles that appear in this website are changed from time to time, so it is always worth checking these out. They appear in the "Wonderful Women" section.
'Wonderful Women' section
It is obviously not possible to include every creative woman in the book - as the title emphasizes, the main work is a selection of women who have made a signifcant contribution to the arts in WA. This 'Wonderful Women' section, which will cover some of those not in the publication, will appear eventually on the website. It will contain the names and brief descriptions of other women who have contributed to the arts scene in our State.