Koorliny opens opportunities for artists

Better known as a vibrant theatre venue, Koorliny Arts Centre in Kwinana has now opened an Exhibition Zone with sponsorship from Fremantle Ports. Designed to support local artists and provide exposure to the visual arts in the community, the Zone has parallel aspirations to the 30-year old Centre which aims for engagement and cultural exposure to theatre. Regular sold out shows reflect how Koorliny has ingrained itself in the social fabric of the local community. Its mission statement is a belief exposure to theatre and live performance provides inspiration, entertainment, creativity and self-expression, as well opening up avenues for learning life skills and improving self-confidence.

The first exhibition at Koorliny is Freedom, including 33 local artists such as Vanessa Liebenberg, Gillina Peebles, Briney Noon, Ashley Hay, Annabella Jaramillo, Richad Bristow and Rae Cottam, accompanied by a swag of $500 prizes sponsored by local businesses. Rockingham artist Tich Dixon won the overall award sponsored by Fremantle Ports with Hull, inspired by the coast, Rockingham and shipwrecks in the area. Dixon says she was amazed and thrilled to win. “Our coast was built on the tall ships which came here, and Rockingham was a major port – before Fremantle – at that time. It has a lot of significance.”

Other winners included Leon Holmes, Sheila Benford, emerging artist Gemma Prentice and student Jade Langley. 

The exhibition was opened by Deputy Premier, Roger Cook MLA, Minister for Health; Mental Health and member for Kwinana. Cook praised Koorliny for reaching out to artists to offer opportunities. “The arts are about who we are,” he said. “The arts are an expression of a community and it’s an expression that unites us.”

Two days after the show opened, Perth was in lockdown, essentially pausing the exhibition. With lockdown now lifted, Freedom continues at Koorliny Art Centre until 12 February. 

Visit koorliny.com.au for more information.