Boonah Artist Michael wins Willoughby Art competition

By Patrice Buzinskas, Wahroonga Parishioner

“Connect, Collaborate or Celebrate” were the themes chosen by Willoughby City Council for the second annual art competition open to people living with a disability, experiencing social isolation or at risk of marginalisation. Willoughby City Council acknowledges the importance of this event held to celebrate Social Inclusion Week and the International Day of People with Disability.

Michael Buzinskas and Karlene Wilcox

All artworks submitted were displayed in the Dougherty Community Centre, Chatswood, during the exhibition period from 24 November to 14 December, 2020. The winner and two highly commended artists were announced at a COVID-19 Safe celebratory morning tea by Mayor Gail Giles-Gidney on Thursday, 3 December, 2020. All entrants were presented with a Certificate of Participation and a small Christmas gift at the morning tea.

The winner was Michael Buzinskas with his acrylic painting entitled “The Story of a Friend” which focused on the themes of “Connect and Celebrate”. Michael won a $500 Eckersley Arts and Crafts voucher, along with a solo exhibition at the Dougherty Centre, scheduled for August, 2021.

Michael describes his winning entry in the following way:

“The Story of a Friend is a gift for my friend, Christian, to celebrate his 30th birthday and our 25-year friendship which began in kindergarten. Using a predominance of blues, my painting is a reflection of how I see my friend making connections as he goes about his daily life. I am the observant onlooker who is missing from the artwork because I want to highlight his life and what is important to Christian in keeping connected in his world”.

Michael attends Boonah Creative Arts Centre in West Pymble, supporting artists with a disability, a service of CatholicCare in the Diocese of Broken Bay. Karlene Wilcox and her team at Boonah are an exceptionally dedicated, talented and hard-working group of people who support artists with a disability to further enhance and develop each person’s giftedness. This is clearly evident through artworks displayed and for sale in the annual art exhibition held in December each year.

The staff also encourage artists to extend their scope beyond Boonah through such events as the Kings School Annual Art Exhibition and Kuring-gai Council who also celebrate International Day of People with a Disability.

In Michael’s words, “Boonah is a place that encourages me along with my painting. It has a very motivating, community atmosphere. I have made good friends and I can work at my own pace. Boonah is like being in a family. The staff are understanding, caring, supportive, personal, welcoming and go out of their way to help me”.

Michael has been attending Boonah for five years and is a central part of the community there. “Michael brings a real community spirit to the Centre,” said Karlene Wilcox, Activity Leader at Boonah. “He makes everyone feel welcome, including all the other artists and staff. He is an absolute joy to have here.

“Michael is a self-directed artist, he doesn’t require too much assistance from the staff, and he has really grown and improved over the years. We are very proud, and not surprised, that he won the Willoughby City Council Art Competition”.

Michael working on his latest artwork at Boonah Creative Arts Centre