By Candice Boyle
WHAT do you get when you cross a ukulele player and an artist with a preference for Textas? The answer: this month’s colourful program at the Footscray Community Arts Centre.
The centre’s workshops co-ordinator, Bernadette Fitzgerald, has lured quirky felt-pen artist Arlene TextaQueen and performer Shirley Billing to the centre to share their unusual talents with budding artists.
“We wanted to create opportunities for the community to be inspired by outstanding artists,” she said.
“We have been fortunate that the artists have proven so generous with their time and energy, and are keen to work in a community context.”
This Sunday, songwriter, performer, comedienne and renowned ukulele player, Ms Billing will show budding musicians around the ukulele.
Ms Billing’s entertainment career began with Circus Oz, but these days she focuses on workshops that explore cabaret, music performance and the ukulele.
Ms Fitzgerald said to participate in this workshop, it is essential to have a ukulele and be able to play at least three chords.
Later this month, TextaQueen will introduce workshop participants to life drawing with a difference — using felt-tip markers.
TextaQueen graduated from the University of Western Australia more than a decade ago and has since rediscovered her childhood devotion to the felt-tip marker.
Ms Fitzgerald said the workshop included four hours of model time with participants learning to work with felt-tip markers.
TextaQueen will also run a special Father’s Day workshop for children to create portraits – of their dad, grandfather or a special person – to be laminated as a gift.
The ukulele workshop will be held this Sunday, 19 August, followed by a life drawing workshop with TextaQueen on Sunday, 26 August, and a children’s portraiture workshop with TextaQueen on Father’s Day.
For details on both workshops contact the Footscray Arts Centre.
