Mediacontact:CassidyRichens,0405485288,62931443orcassidy.richens@tuggeranongarts.com.au

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M E D I A R E L E A S E 13 April 2017

COMMEMORATIVE ARTWORK LAUNCH AND PATRON ANNOUNCEMENT Tuggeranong Arts Centre will officially Launch 'Meeting Place,' a commemorative artwork in honour of senior Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Agnes Shea's mother Violet Bulger on Thursday 4th May, from 10.30am. At the event, President of the Tuggeranong Community Arts Association Karl Maftoum will also announce Aunty Agnes Shea as patron of the Tuggeranong Arts Centre. Mr. Maftoum says the Association is honored Aunty Agnes has accepted the position of patron. ‘This essentially means the organisation has a senior member of the Ngunnawal People to assist with making sure we get it right when engaging with our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community’, he said. The Arts Centre’s relationship with Aunty Agnes and her family and friends, as well as other significant Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People in the ACT has grown significantly since 1998. These relationships were particularly strengthened during the production of the documentary film Footprints on Our Land in 2016. During the filming of Footprints on Our Land, it was discovered that a small park in Ngunnawal had been named in honour of Aunty Agnes Shea’s mother, Violet Bulger. With the generous support of an ACT Heritage grant, Tuggeranong Arts Centre has worked with sculptor Tony Steel and emerging Aboriginal artist Brett Carpenter to develop a commemorative artwork and interpretive sign celebrating the life of Ngunnawal Elder Violet Bulger (1899-1993). Minister for the Environment and Heritage Mick Gentleman wil l off ic ia l ly launch the artwork at 10.30am on Thursday 4th May. The publ ic launch at Violets Park, Marungul Avenue Ngunnawal, wi l l a lso include a smoking ceremony and a Welcome to Country by members of Violet’s family and entertainment by local school chi ldren. The event wi l l conclude with a free community barbeque in Violets Park.

The artwork, Meeting Place, is the result of a collaboration between two artists and the Bulger/Shea family. Tony Steel, experienced public artist and sculptor, has mentored emerging Aboriginal artist Brett Carpenter through the planning and development of the sculptural seat and interpretive signage in the park. The sign relates biographical details of Violet Bulger and includes a graphic panel featuring artwork representing her life journey and the Australian Native Violet floral emblem. The seat is a response to the family’s desire to create a meeting place for the community. Situated on the high side of the park, Meeting Place allows a view over the park and playground and beyond the suburb to the mountain ranges. The hewn log seat is positioned in the cradle of a large granite boulder, with carvings and metal work featuring elements of the artwork featured in the sign. The timber and stone seat is positioned within a large, bordered circle of river pebbles. The granite, timber and pebbles are locally sourced materials, reinforcing a connection to the environment surrounding Canberra.