Workshops ‘Spring into Winter’

Artist Nikki Clarke will lead a series of free community sculpture workshops during Horsham’s Art Is… festival in early June.

The sculptures, made from recycled materials, will be on display in Firebrace Street for a ‘Spring into Winter’ project.

The theme of Art Is… 2019, from May 31 to June 9, is A Footprint: Moulding Our Future.

The theme explores ‘who we are, where we are from and where we are going’.

Reflecting flowering crops in the region, including chickpeas, lentils and canola, Clarke’s sculptures will consider an ‘agricultural and floral future’ and the fact that ‘with the impact of climate change and technological developments, who knows what our landscape will look like in years to come?’

The Wimmera community can help Clarke by participating in the workshop series.

Participants of any age and level of ability can make their own sculpture, recycled milk-bottle lantern or contribute to a larger piece already in development.

Art Is… festival director Sarah Natali encouraged ‘anyone and everyone’ to get involved.

“The theme is moulding our future, so this is a perfect opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and try something new. Join a workshop and help create art that will be displayed throughout June in the main street,” she said.

The Spring into Winter project is also engaging with district schools to make milk-bottle lanterns to add to a garden that will occupy a Firebrace-pynsent street roundabout during June.

Leaders are also seeking community support in providing recycled materials for sculptures.

The project launch will be at Horsham’s Exchange Hotel at 4pm on June 4.

• More Art Is... details, page 14.