Noongar Art Classes a big success

November 12, 2020

The creative juices followed freely during the Noongar Art Classes held at our Bennett Street complex in East Perth as part of our NAIDOC celebrations. Whadjuk Noongar Artist, Julianne Wade, led the inaugural painting classes for staff and tenants over two afternoons in late October.

Participants were invited to create their own Aboriginal inspired masterpieces in acrylic on canvas in a quest to learn about the importance of art in Aboriginal culture and heritage.

Tenant Marianna said, “It’s a way of learning and healing while identifying with our culture and not only for our own tribal bloodline, but for the global psyche.” Proudly displaying her paintings, she named her painting of swans as “Queens of the Swan River.”

Judging by the calm demeanour of these budding artists, it’s safe to say the art classes could be considered an ongoing creative form of relaxation. The classes were instigated as part of Foundation Housing’s Community Engagement Strategy and also its Reconciliation Action Plan.
Roisin Carmody, who leads Foundation Housing’s RAP program said, “We hope to offer the art classes again, hopefully in different locations so more tenants can participate.”