New digs for cohealth arts generator (nee barkly arts centre) marked by exhibition launch for naidoc week

The new cohealth arts generator has set up shop in the Warehouse basement space at Footscray Community Arts Centre. cohealth arts generator will celebrate its new digs with the launch this Thursday of “Scattered tribes: Rising Smoke” an exhibition by Elders and community members of the west, in collaboration with artists Ngardarb Riches and Liss Gabb.

The exhibition, the first for cohealth arts generator in the Roslyn Smorgon Gallery at FCAC, coincides with NAIDOC week which starts Sunday.

Nicole Bartholomeusz, Acting CEO of cohealth, a leading provider of health and support services in and around Melbourne, said cohealth arts generator is an innovative and successful program which uses the arts to engage with people and groups in the community to improve health.

“Engagement through the arts is a powerful way to create connection, facilitate self-expression and personal development, and improve health”, she said. “cohealth arts generator’s new location at FCAC is a fantastic space for members of the community and local artists to meet, work together, and share their experiences”, she said.

What: Opening of cohealth arts generator’s “Scattered tribes: Rising Smoke” exhibition which explores the making of community through stories from the past.

The exhibition features individual works by Ngardarb Riches, a Bardi/DJawi / Karajarri woman from the West Kimberly coast, now based in Maribyrnong.

There will be a welcome to country and performances by singer Robbie Bundle and dancer Brent Watkins.

Where: Roslyn Smorgon Gallery, Footscray Community Arts Centre

When: 6.30pm – 8.30pm, Thursday 3 July, 2014

Contact: Wharehouse, Footscray Community Arts Centre, 45 Moreland Street, Footscray – 9362 8877