the look ... What should this artwork look like? We started with a vague concept of let's put some lantern sculptures into Mill Square. We wanted people to get out of their cars and engage with the artwork. The opportunity for local people to be involved in creating the artwork was also important to us....so we added a mosaic component.
This vague concept then needed to be turned into a project design. Local community artist, Victoria Harrison and Adelaide Hills artist, Samantha Bell have both been great, volunteering their time and skills to develop concept drawings based on discussions with community association members. The draft designs are intended to celebrate community participation in the Lobethal Lights festival. However they also reflect community concerns about the Lights festival, sustainability and the heritage setting of the artwork.
the site ... the space we envisage using is undulating, overgrown and may need a retaining wall. We can't just plonk an artwork in the middle of it, we need to prepare the space. Who knows anything about landscaping? Not I - well not much anyway. A meeting with a local landscaper has provided some answers - and some costings.
The land is also owned by Adelaide Hills Council and so council support was paramount to the art project. After meeting with Council representatives, they have given in principle support to the proposal.
the cash ... How can we finance an artwork, given the community association's limited financial reserves? The answer appears to be a cocktail of funding. So far we have applied to Country Arts SA Community Projects Grant Program, the CATCH program (Culture, Arts , Tourism and Community Heritage Grants Program through the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal) and the Adelaide Hills Council Community Grants Program. We will also be approaching Arts SA and local businesses to suppliment grants funding with sponsorship, discounts and/or donations. Grant applications are currently being assessed and results will be posted when they become available.
the Support ... We needed to demonstrate to ourselves and to funding bodies that we had community support for the arts initiative. Support letters have been received from Lights of Lobethal SA; Adelaide Hills Council; Lobethal Heritage Association; Cindi Drennan of Illuminart; Lobethal Primary School; Rotary; Lobethal Bierhaus; Adelaide Hills Market and Restvale Lobethal & District Aged Homes Inc.
the technology ... Our next challenge is solar lighting - another journey of discovery! The design for the lighting will need to be in place prior to laying the paving.
We are currently researching the best approach to lighting.
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