Media Room
EXTRACT FROM VICTORIAN PARLIAMENTARY HANSARD
15 April 2008 ASSEMBLY
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Page 15
Autism: Acorn artists
Dr SYKES (Benalla) -- Last Friday night I had the pleasure of launching an online art gallery for six Mansfield artists. The six artists -- Tim Mallows, Jonathan Esser, Carl Harris, Thomas Huber, John Kostea and Kylie Hughes -- are known as the Acorn artists. The Acorn artists are members of a group of local young people with autism who, under the guidance of Joan Curtis and many other caring Mansfield people, have developed their unique artistic talents. The work of Acorn artists has been exhibited at the National Gallery of Victoria and the Benalla Regional Art Gallery. Their art hangs in places such as Wangaratta, Sydney, Canberra and San Francisco. As Joan Curtis said, 'They have a unique vision of the world; they don't look at things the way other people look at them'.
The online website has been developed by New Zealand internet Web design and Web marketing specialists Niche Design, and Rachael Errington in particular. Rachael is both talented and very passionate about the marketing of the Acorn artists' work, and the website is simple and user friendly. Rachael will be operating the site at no cost to the artists. I encourage members to visit the website at www.acornartists.com, view the paintings and of course purchase one or more. I have put my money where my mouth is by purchasing a painting by Tim Mallows entitled Water Waves. Tim's painting is a welcome addition to paintings I have previously purchased from Jonathan Esser, Carl Harris and Kylie Hughes. Congratulations to all who have been involved in making the Acorn artist website a reality.
PRESS RELEASE (3/04/2008)
www.acornartists.com is a web address to remember.
On Friday 11th April Mansfield will welcome from New Zealand international artist Rachael Errington. Through collaboration between Anne Arbuthnot, local writer/photographer and Mansfield Adult Autistic Services committee member, New Zealand internet web design and web marketing specialists Niche Design and Rachael, an online art gallery, www.acornartists.com, has been designed to promote the art work of 6 autistic young people who have grouped together under the name of Acorn Artists.
The Acorn Artists are Tim Mallows, Jonathan Esser, Carl Harris, Thomas Huber, John Kosteas, and Kylie Hughes. These artists are already well known in the district, two of them (Tim Mallows and Carl Harris) have won the Rotary art prize in 2002 and 2006, and all of them have exhibited and sold works in Mansfield, Benalla and Melbourne.
The online art gallery will give them a wider audience, and it is thought to be a world first for a group of artists with the condition of autism.
The Hon. Bill Sykes, a long time friend and patron of Acorn Artists will officially open the gallery on Friday 11th April at its launch. The artists and guests at the launch will then be able to view www.acornartists.com as a large screen presentation.
After the viewing, Mr. Sykes will unveil a special picture ?Celebration?, a vibrant multi-media work in which five of the artists have collaborated to mark this special occasion. The painting will be raffled to meet the costs associated with developing and promoting the gallery. Tickets will be available at MACCRO and other venues in Mansfield.
You can view the Acorn Artists online gallery by typing its web address, www.acornartists.com into your web browser or by doing a web search, also known as ?googling?, of the name Acorn Artists. If you have an active link such as www.acornartists.com as in this email clicking on it will also take you to the gallery.
Contact details:
Dr. Joan Curtis, MACCRO, maccro@mansfield.net.au, ph: +61 3 5775 1904
Acorn Artists, www.acornartists.com
Anne Arbuthnot, Anne.Arbuthnot@gmail.com, www.annearbuthnot.com
Rachael Errington, www.rachaelerrington.com
Niche Design, www.nichedesign.co.nz
PRESS RELEASE (21/02/2008)
What happens when you combine Australian and International Artists, lateral thinking and an award winning New Zealand design and technology company?
A world first arts project for artists with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The project was created through the dynamic collaboration between Anne Arbuthnot, Mansfield photographer, writer, MACCRO committee member, New Zealand based international artist, Rachael Errington and leading edge New Zealand design and technology company, Niche Design.
"Something magical happens when you're open to possibilties. I'm excited and thrilled with the project and I'm sure the artists will enjoy it too. Working with Rachael and Niche Design has been fantastic. We all wanted the very best for the artists. To then discover it was a world first was just amazing!" Anne said.
It is being launched on April 11 2008 in Mansfield, Victoria, Australia.
We'll let you know more a bit closer to the launch date. There are other equally exciting things in the works!
Contact details:
Anne Arbuthnot, project cordinator and media liasion, Anne.Arbuthnot@gmail.com
