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United Way Glenelg fundraiser back for the first time since 2019

The local arts community will come alive when an abandoned building becomes the inspiration for a unique runway show and art installation event.

Featuring works made from discarded, unused, deserted, forsaken and ultimately abandoned objects will appear for one night only in an undisclosed abandoned building located in Portland.

The creators of Abandoned will again partner with United Way Glenelg to facilitate this event and raise money for community arts projects.

The inaugural Abandoned event held in 2019 was a sold-out event with 200 people attending. It was regarded as an overwhelming success with more than $8000 raised for the Living Laneways Project.

This year Abandoned 2 will incorporate artists’ installations with an op shop runway parade, a speakeasy, performance art, DJ set, and local food tasting.

Project curator,Megan Jarrett has invited artists from Portland’s renowned creative community to contribute their works to the event, including Rory Carter.

Portland-based artist Rory Carter holds a Bachelor of visual communication, graphic arts and imaging arts from Deakin University. He has undertaken artist residencies in Yogyakarta (Indonesia), Paris, Berlin, and held numerous solo exhibitions, including at the Canberra Contemporary Art Space. We’re excited to have Rory join us for the first time.

Other artists to showcase their works include Gene Stewart, Damian Goodman, The Op Shop Archaeologist, Vicki Reynolds, Carmel Wallace and Chris Webb and Andrew Walsh and Andy Govanstone. With performance art by Heather Richardson & Phil Cousins, Mischelle Starr, and David Petrie

Outfit curators are Tina Biggs, Andrew Bryant, Velia Terrance, Therese Coffey and Emma Van Smale. Items on the runway will be available for sale after the parade.

Abandoned 2 provides the opportunity to showcase the upcycling of discarded materials as a visual approach to commenting on our disposable world through creative reuse, while simultaneously supporting the arts community.

“Having worked in the fashion industry, far too often I see poorly made clothing, with wear once attitude,” Ms Jarrett said. “Presenting clothing in a second life, where enduring designs have no use by date, minimizes unnecessary disposal.

“ABC War on Waste program highlighted how fashion is one of the fastest growing waste problems in Australia. We discard 6000kg of clothes every 10 minutes.

“The impacts of cheap fashion and a throw-away attitude are impacting the environment, including the many clothes we donate. It’s creating an environmental catastrophe, not often seen here but on the other side of the world.”

Sourcing an appropriate venue has been the toughest part of the brief.

“The key to the event was locating a suitable abandoned building that would provide an open space to serve as a backdrop for both art and fashion,” Ms Jarrett said. “Another requirement was to have electricity and water still connected. The search has taken close to six months.”

The venue will be unknown to ticket holders until 12 hours before the event. An element that keeps ticket holders speculating.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with innovative artists, along with local people who are willing to share their time and talents to bring some underground event culture to our community social calendar,” Ms Jarrett said.

“We are expecting it to be a lot of fun, including a live DJ to bring a great vibe to the night.”

Generous support for the event comes from boutique suppliers of gin and craft beer along with local seafood and artisanal producers.

Abandoned 2 will be held Saturday, November 12, beginning at 8pm. Ticket price is $40, or $100 for a VIP ticket, which allows for a generous donation to the Arts community project. Available at Eventbrite and includes a complimentary drink and small bites.

Check out the Abandoned Facebook page for more information and link to tickets.

The event is a fundraiser for United Way Glenelg and funds will be directed to local Community Art Projects.

If you would like more information on Abandoned, please contact Creator Meg Jarrett on 0419 579 896 or Nicole Carr at United Way Glenelg mail@ unitedwayglenelg.com.au or by phoning 0410 513 305.

ABANDONED READY TO LAUNCH:

Gene Stewart, Megan Jarrett and Tina Biggs. Gene Stewart is from Portland and is highly experienced in creating large-scale public art, having produced murals for the Portland, Hamilton, and Casterton communities. Tina Biggs also from Portland is a well-known local artist, who has a passion for encouraging others to learn and develop their art. For Abandoned 2, Tina’s love of 80’s fashion is sure to feature.

Extra special guest for this month’s country music event

The South East Country Music Association has a special guest appearing at their November event with the much-loved Shirl Brown headlining the afternoon.

Hosted at the Mount Gambier RSL Bowls Club on November 6, from 1-5pm, tickets are $12 for non-members and $10 for members and available at the door, with afternoon tea available and full bar service.

Shirl Brown is the daughter of country music legend Athol McCoy. She was born with music running through her veins with both parents and families all being musical. They all played by ear with Shirl being no exception so life has always been one great jam session. Shirl’s grandmother taught her a few ditties on the piano when she was four and by the time she was eight her musical career began, playing in her family’s old time dance band.

Patsy Cline and Jim Reeves have had a big impact on Shirl’s singing style as she loved their smooth easy listening voices and beautiful meaningful lyrics. Shirl has progressed over the years from piano to keyboard with a big band sound, but she still sings the oldies but goodies as well as songs from the 60s, and some of today’s modern country.

In 1992, Shirl’s husband, Geoff, converted a bus into a motorhome and they hit the road to promote her first album, Life is Preciou”. She hasn’t looked back since, adding five more albums to the collection, while taking music around Australia and doing what she does best.

Tragedy struck Shirl in 2003 on her return to Mount Gambier following her Queensland tour, when she was struck down with a rare disease called Guillian Barre Syndrome, which paralysed her from head to toe in just three days. It’s been a hard road back with Shirl fighting unbearable pain. Her strong will and determination, and the love and support of family, friends and fellow musicians have helped Shirl to recover sufficiently enough to undertake further tours. Shirl says she believes she has been blessed with her music and all the amazing people she has met because of it, and believes that God spared her for a reason, and that is to spread a little happiness each day.

Late night op shopping

A chance to have an eco-friendly Christmas

It was a new initiative last year and was a winner for everyone involved. The Late Night Op Shopping campaign gives prudent shoppers a chance to find some affordable and unique gifts, while filling the coffers of local op shops that in turn pass their proceeds onto vital local charities.

The brainchild of Recycled Runway’s Trudy Anne Doyle, who is part of the Belltower Op Shop and Lounge, the November 8 event has attracted five other op shop partners in the three hour shopping frenzy, while the City of Mount Gambier’s ReUse Market will join the campaign on November 9.

Supported by the City of Mount Gambier, the Late Night Op Shopping campaign is a National Recycling Week initiative aimed at promoting an eco-friendly Christmas. ADRA, the Salvation Army Thrift Shop at Grantville Court, Lifeline Mount Gambier, Vinnie Mount Gambier and the Penola Op Shop have all joined forces to be part of the new shopping experience that is promising a great array of Kris Kringle offerings, other Christmas gifts, decoration, table napery and something for yourself with newly sorted summer clothing stock.

The proceeds from each of the op shops end up filtered back into local projects through the respective organisations which includes the Salvation Army, Vinnies, ac.care and Lifeline.

The ReUse Market is open from 10am to 1pm on November 9, while the op shops are open for their usual trading hours as well as the November 8, 4-7pm extended hours.