Cargo 2011

Following on from Cargo's previous success in a number of communities since 2006, Cargo has worked throughout 2011 in the regional areas of Roxby Downs, Andamooka, Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Crystal Brook, Port Germein, Napperby and Whyalla.

Roxby Downs

During March Roxby Downs Area School students worked alongside local artist Rachel Young, to design a 25 year celebration mural, fabricated using metals prominent in the region.

Whyalla

Through April students from Fisk Street Primary undertook their Cargo residency with Aboriginal artist, Nikki Carabetta and Whyalla emerging artist, Emily Kapetanakis. Students worked together to create a 100 metre painted Aboriginal Snakes and Ladders game on school grounds.

Port Augusta

During June, Augusta Park Primary’s Year 5-7 classes worked with Barbara Binns to create a large textile mural themed around the local landscape. This unique mural was created using rubbed felt and other fibres.

Stirling North Primary’s Year 5-7 students undertook a week of puppetry workshops with artist Annika Evans creating three life sized walking puppets for the school's Christmas float.

Whyalla

Year 5-7 students from Memorial Oval Primary participated in a series of Commedia dell'Arte and Circus workshops with artist Alessandro Gavello during June. The week culminated in a celebratory performance to the students and school community.

Mural artist John Whitney worked with the Year 8-10 Art and Flo Students from Stuart High School on a stunning three panel mural themed around aquaculture and agriculture, subjects prominent on the school’s curriculum.

Port Pirie

Throughout June, students from Crystal Brook Primary participated in four days of circus workshops with artist Jessica Pierce, culminating in a celebratory performance to the students and school community. Jessica spent a day also at the Mid North Education Centre facilitating circus workshops for students with disabilities.

Musician, Pete Arthur from Stamp Music Australia, shared his time between Napperby and Port Germein Primary Schools. Students worked with Pete to create and record original music. The week included a competition for the album art work and each student was able to take home a CD of musical works created.

Roxby Downs

Throughout September, Cargo artists delivered exciting arts experiences in both Roxby Downs and Andamooka. Artist Barbara Binns worked with the students from St. Barbara’s Parish on a rubbed felt and textile mural depicting an ‘Opal Tree’, representing the school’s ‘Seven Habits’ value system, synergy and individuality.  

Photographic artist Jeremy Watson worked with the students of Andamooka Primary School to explore the history of Andamooka through the camera lens, reshooting old photographs in perspective. Workshops also included sessions on studio portraiture, landscape and macro photography.

Port Pirie

November saw top 5 female Graffiti artist Narisha (Nish) Cash working with the Year 6-7 students of Risdon Park Primary on aerosol murals themed around anti-bullying. Nish mentored emerging Port Pirie aerosol artist John George throughout the project and together they worked with the students to create powerful works of art for the school's Reflection Room.

Year 8 and 9 students from John Pirie Secondary School undertook acting workshops with Urban Myth Tutor Ashton Malcolm, having fun with drama games, script readings, vocal warm ups and lessons on professional acting.

Touring through the Regions

To finish the year with a bang Cargo toured That Science Gang’s new show – Let’s Party to Crystal Brook, Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Roxby Downs and Whyalla.

Let’s party was a high energy, science focused school performance. Students witnessed extraordinary science demonstrations using ordinary objects such as balloons, string, beach balls and plastic cups - all presented in a fun and entertaining format.

Opportunities

Local emerging artists are offered mentoring opportunities through upcoming artist residencies. For further details or to apply for a mentoree placement please contact Bethany Ashley on (08) 8267 5111.

Cargo is a project of Carclew Youth Arts supported by BHP Billiton and the Government of South Australia through the Carclew Youth Arts Board and Arts SA.

Cargo Roxby Public Art Project

The Cargo Roxby Public Art Project was one of the first projects undertaken with partner BHP Billiton. The Roxby Project was delivered as a year-long community cultural development initiative with schools and community to commemorate the 20th year anniversary of Roxby Downs in 2008.

Stage 1 – Roxby and Me

Developed in consultation with principal partner BHP Billiton, the Cargo public art project was established with a community cultural development focus providing opportunities for students and the broader community to participate in the creation of a lasting public artwork commemorating the town's 20th anniversary.

The artistic team comprised Adelaide-based sculptor, Gerry McMahon (lead artist) and Roxby Downs jeweller, Rachel Young (emerging artist). This was a unique opportunity for Rachel to work with a highly-skilled and experienced sculptor outside her usual area of practice.

Stage 1 provided 408 students from Roxby Downs Area and St Barbara’s Parish Schools a chance to be involved in painting and maquette-making workshops where they could express their thoughts and ideas about their community. With a focus on themes of identity, society, culture and history the students learned about the creative process of making public art while contributing to the final design concept.

The exhibition Roxby and Me (Stage 1) opened at the Roxby Leisure Precinct Gallery in May 2008 and was on display to the public for two weeks. Showcasing selected paintings and maquettes created by the students during the community consultation phase the exhibition celebrated their work with peers, families and the broader community. 

 A throng of young hopeful artists proudly showing Mums and Dads their creations… was a buzz of expectation, not only for the current exhibition, but what is to come over the following months. The Monitor, June 2008.

During Stage 1 the Cargo artists also facilitated training and development for staff at both participating schools. These sessions assisted teachers to identify associated learning opportunities for their students while generating enthusiasm and support for the project.

Students and their families embraced the opportunity to get involved in the early stages of the design and development of the public sculpture.

Stage 2 – Fabrication, Installation and Launch

Delivered between July and November 2008, Stage 2 of the Cargo Public Art Project included the fabrication, installation and launch of the public sculpture.

During Stage 1 many ideas about what the final design should be came from the participating students. An overwhelming number of students identified the Sturt Desert Pea with Roxby Downs so the decision from there was obvious – the final sculpture would need to incorporate the ‘Pea’.

Incorporating the students’ ideas, the artists developed a selection of design concepts. The tri-sculpture – three symbolic pea-shaped sculptures - was selected as the final design. Fabrication of the sculpture took place at the TAFE SA Roxby Downs workshop and the lead artist’s Adelaide studio between August and October 2008. Carclew worked with BHP Billiton – Olympic Dam and representatives from the Roxby Downs Municipal Council to install the completed sculpture.

The sculpture celebrated the 20th year anniversary of Roxby Downs and was launched at BHP Billiton’s Family Day in November 2008 to a huge crowd of local community members and invited guests. It now takes pride of place outside in the cultural centre precinct forecourt and after dark is lit from below.

This Cargo project was supported through the BHP Billiton Youth Arts Fund and the Government of South Australia through the South Australian Youth Arts Board and Arts SA, with assistance from the Municipal Council of Roxby Downs and TAFE SA, Roxby Downs Campus.