{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"53: Getting our art on","description":"Chorus is undergoing some exciting changes to work more locally - to become less of a service provider and more of a facilitator in the community. In this episode we talk to Elli Moody, facilitator of inclusive art programs at Chorus, about the inspiring community engagement that is going on locally in Mandurah. \u201cWe try and have an annual exhibition each year, which is really about showcasing what our guys have been producing and getting it out there in the community,\u201d says Elli. Elli and the Ability Arts team got involved in the Selfie Portrait Exhibition last year. They sent out a kit with a canvas, paints and paint brushes to various groups in the Mandurah community. \u201cWe could have done it just in-house with our customers, but we thought we'd throw it out to the wider community,\u201d Elli explains. \u201cIt's really good for building some connections within the community. We had about 25 students from John Tonkin Ed Support Centre take part.\u201d The team has a strong relationship with the City of Mandurah and have taken part in other community art projects, like painting the signage for the beach access equipment shed at Keith Holmes Reserve in Mandurah. \u201cOur artists got together and started drawing beach sort of inspired illustrations, which we then put together into a design, which is now on the shed,\u201d says Elli. Eight artists from Ability Arts took part in state-wide As We Are art exhibition last year. Potter Kylie Graham from the group won the won the sculpture award with her entry of Cinderella and Prince Charming. \u201cShe was just so excited and she actually received the award from Stephen Dawson, who is the Minister for Disability Services,\u2019 adds Elli. It\u2019s not all about art down at Ability Arts (although it mostly is!) The group love going on social outings too and last year funded some of their activities by signing up for Containers for Change. \u201cWhen Containers for Change came out, we thought that would be a great opportunity to make some extra money,\u201d adds Elli. \u201cI think the Ability Arts really speaks to the multiple connections and how we really connect with the community down there,\u201d says Louise. Dan agrees. \u201cWhat we're trying to do in the Peel area and then beyond is replicate the sort of local way of working that we've heard about today in other places. And that's really the plan,\u201d says Dan. Credits: Podcast Hosts: Dan Minchin and Louise Forster Opening Voiceover: Ryan Burke Opening Music: \u201cWattlebird\u201d by Dylan Hatton Music Interviewee: Elli Moody, Facilitator Social Support Group, Chorus Ability Arts, Mandurah Producer\/Editor: Judith Hatton Executive Producer: Meaghan Ferries Audio editing: Matthew Clark Artwork: Maddie Bull Mentioned in this episode: Chorus Ability Arts John Tonkin Education Support Centre Selfie Portrait Exhibition City of Mandurah Containers for change As We Are Art Award ","author_name":"Chorus Voices","author_url":"https:\/\/chorus.org.au\/","html":"