BLAK PEARL STUDIO WILL REOPEN ON WEDNESDAY 7th FEBRUARY
We’re busy quietly planning 2024
Thank you to everyone who made 2023 possible
Look like it’s going to be another epic year!
Keep your eyes peeled for news as it drops
Get in touch if you would like to volunteer,
donate materials or talk sponsorships for food and artistic materials,
or to help us overhaul our technology
JOIN US TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF THE END-OF-YEAR EXHIBITION
Blak Pearl Studio is proud to present a collection of visionary works from First Nations Artists who gather at Blak Pearl to share their culture and creativity.
Beginning in the Blak Pearl Arts studio at the Florence Peel Centre in Fitzroy - and stretching across local inner-city locations- this exhibition is a collection of the creative expressions, artworks, media, and stories from the voices of Aboriginal people in the City of Yarra.
The Launch Party will take place on December 7th between 7pm -9pm and feature a welcome and smoking ceremony by Blak Pearl ambassador and Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Ringo Terrick, followed by Djirri Djirri Dancers and Music performance by members of the community such as Uncle Frank ‘Dootrule’ Wandin and Joe Boy.
The open studio exhibition will run from Dec 7th to the 22nd Wednesday to Friday. To see the exhibition outside of studio hours please contact Fjorn Bastos to make an appointment - 0477019417
This exhibition would not be possible without support from; Yarra Arts, Australian Cultural Fund, Pay the Rent, Inner North Community Foundation, Lord Mayors Charitable Foundation, Belgium Avenue Neighbourhood House Inc, Centre for Projection Art, and Community Bank Clifton Hill- North Fitzroy
Blak Pearl is a creative studio in Fitzroy that aims to provide a culturally safe environment for local Aboriginal peoples who cannot access mainstream spaces. It is a place to gather and connect, develop and expand on artistic skills, and showcase the artistic outcomes of a talented and underrepresented community.
Wednesday to Friday the Studio provides a cooked lunch, food aid and some material aid, access to artistic materials such as paints, canvas, wood burners etc, and is staffed by members of the local community.
The Studio will release its annual plan of workshops, programs and events soon. The studio is open for use for partnering organisations requiring a community led site that is wheelchair accessible or a culturally safe site to access clients within the region
The initiative aims to establish an appropriate and sustainable sovereign-led operational model and set up a viable permanent space for the community. The first stage of the program is being delivered by Future Tense in partnership with a network of support service organisations such as BAHN Inc, North Richmond Community Health, City of Yarra, Neighbourhood Justice Centre, and Connecting Home, guided by an Elders Advisory Committee.
We need your help to make all this possible!
We are seeking support to cover general operating costs such as staffing, consumables, training, and materials, and to assist us to better represent Blak Pearl artists via this years public activations program.
Your support will enable Blak Pearl to realise its ambitions and create a positive space for its community to thrive.
Donations are tax deductible
IMAGE: Yarri and Patch by Tracy Briggs
IMAGE: Studio Room 1
As of June 2023 we are:
Running the drop-in studio Wednesday to Friday 12pm-5pm
Providing art materials and facilitators on site
Providing a daily lunch + access to a stocked fridge with cheese, meat, bread, and beverages such as tea, coffee, and juices
Providing quality garments in collaboration with Goodbyes for those who need work or formal attire
Providing mutual aid items such as tents, bikes, sanitary packs
Working with the Elder advisory committee to establish governance mechanisms, cultural safety protocols and programming focuses, and
Planning Community events (see NEWS for more info)
NAIDOC Banner painting - Wednesday 5th July
Creating offerings with our Partnership Network (announcement soon)
For more information or to inquire about how you can get involved please contact the Blak Pearl team at Blakpearlfitzroy@gmail.com
The Community
“There’s a lot of people in the community that do wood burning, pottery, and painting - there’s so much talent and it’s getting wasted. They’re all coming out of prison... and they have nowhere to paint and show their artwork. There’s a lot of potential [at Florence Peel Centre], it’s a space where people can have time out and feel safe from things like domestic violence and all that. They’ll just paint and heal their soul.”
— Aunty Tracey - Blak Pearl Community Advisor
“This is a golden opportunity for a friendly safe space for my people in Collingwood/ Fitzroy and the city - all the Blackfellas there.”
— Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Elder Uncle Ronald ‘Ringo’ Terrick
“It’s a place to come down to do artwork, share stories. A lot of the people in the community have talent, they just need a push. We never had something like this [Florence Peel Centre] to offer them, so now that they have this you’ll be able to pull a lot of people in and make a change.”
