Arts

SA’s Community Housing Art Award Winners announced celebrating talented tenants

The Community Housing Art Awards South Australia have finally been announced, with the People’s Choice Award to follow on October 12.

The winners have officially been unveiled for the biennial Community Housing Art Awards South Australia (CHARTS). This prestigious event, which spotlights the artistic talents of community and social housing tenants, has recognised 14 exceptional individuals.

The CHARTS exhibition, now open at The Mill in Adelaide’s CBD, shows off remarkable talents of tenants from 12 different community housing providers. The display will run until October 12, showcasing a range of different different art mediums.

This year’s CHARTS event garnered an impressive 130 submissions, spanning four distinct categories: Framed/Hanging; 3D/Sculpture; Photography, Digital, and Graphic; and Poetry and Literature.

The result is a kaleidoscope of creativity that speaks volumes about the talent thriving within the community housing sector.

The award winners were determined by a panel of judges who reviewed submissions and based their decisions on originality, technique, composition, message, interest and overall impact. The four judges included Artist, Amy Joy-Watson; The Art Bus teacher, Miranda Harris; Artist Claire Wildish; and Patron of arts and community organisations and ABC radio presenter, Peter Goers.

    Luke Westenberg, the Chief Executive Officer of CHIA, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, emphasising its power to unite and inspire.

    “We know art brings people together, and by displaying their artwork, we hope CHARTS inspires engagement and a feeling of belonging in the community among tenants,” Westenberg said.

    Art, as demonstrated by CHARTS, plays a vital role in addressing mental health challenges and psychological distress.

    “We also know the importance of art in helping people deal with a wide range of mental ill-health
    conditions and psychological distress. We hope tenants who entered CHARTS felt the experience
    helped improve their own wellbeing through creativity,” Westenberg said.

    For art enthusiasts and supporters of the community, there’s an exciting opportunity to get involved.

    Visitors to the CHARTS exhibition are encouraged to participate in the People’s Choice Award, which will be presented on the exhibition’s closing day at The Mill on October 12, 2023.

    This award empowers the community to celebrate and recognise the artistry that resonates most with them.

    The 2023 CHARTS Award recipients are:

    Framed / Hanging

    • Youth category: Pearl Thorsen, YourPlace (photos 50, 51, 52, 153)
    • Emerging category: Linda Fribbins, Kingfisher (photo 28)
    • General category: Luke Hooker, Silverton (photo 37)

      3D / Sculpture
    • Youth Entrants category: Zachary Studley, Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System –
      Abstract Art Piece (photos 67, 68, 168)
    • Emerging category: Ty Newnham, Cloudwood (photo 44)
    • General category: Alycia Bennett, City Cam, Google Streetview, Screenshot (photos 30, 69,
      70, 71, 162)

      Photography, Digital and Graphic Art
    • Youth Entrants category: Amber Mills, Slow Morning Spent below a Polyester Canopy
      (photos 22, 133 and 148)
    • Emerging category: Leonard Yarnold, Reflections Upside Down (photo 39)
    • General category: Phillip Miller, Spirit Dance (photo 19)

      Poetry and Literature
    • Youth Entrants category: Gislene Nijenahagera, Voices of My Past – Kuginda (photos 163,
      174 and 176)
    • Emerging category: Kym McLarty, Merciful Silence
    • General category: Adeeb Hussain, Something Wrong

      First Nations Artist: Marie Clarke, The Storyteller (photos 33, 142)

      Artist Living with Disability: Jungle Phillips, Abstract Shon Number 9 (photos 27, 56, 57)

    CHARTS Exhibition
    Where: The Mill, 154 Angas St, Adelaide SA 5000
    When: September 28 – October 12, 2023
    Cost: FREE Entry
    More info: click here

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