The Arty Party is a free one-day arts festival event for children and families at Spinks Park in Lismore. Event co-director Gabrielle Griffin spoke with The Echo about this innovate creative endeavour.
Hi. Gabrielle. What is the concept behind Arty Party?
Our tag line is ‘Playful art-making in public spaces’. We want to create a world of wonder for families and communities, with the intention of slowing down, forgetting the technology, and just playing side by side, making art and trying crafts and games, surrounded by whimsical theatre characters, and a unique creative atmosphere. We’re partnered with the incredible Lismore Regional Gallery and Lismore City Council, plus Lismore Business Panel, and we try to engage with as many local community groups as possible, such as the CWA ladies, and The Yarn Guerillas. We want to unite the community in joyful play! We also have a policy of using recycled/re-purposed materials as much as possible, for minimal carbon footprint (we are all op-shop queens!).
Why are there so few events like these?
This has been a long-held dream of the three of us (Valley Lipcer, Claudie Frock and me), to offer an alternative to commercially focused, mainstream, Disney-type stereotypical children’s entertainment. We want to encourage EVERYONE to get playful, get arty and crafty, play dress-ups whether you’re a boy or girl, build a bamboo cubby house with your grandma, listen to stories with an Indigenous aunty, learn and share new skills with your neighbour. But it all costs money, so we have sought sponsorship and funding, as well as running a Pozible campaign, which we’d love pledges on! We are also fully accessible, and are providing AUSLAN interpreters on the day.
What do you think families and communities get out of events such as Arty Party? What do they add to the social calendar and what unique experiences do they offer?
It is so unifying, and affirming of our wonderfully diverse community, and the natural outdoors beauty of this area. People get to really connect, and be playful, which is so good for your health and wellbeing. The day offers a valuable alternative to watching TV, to passive consumption of entertainment; come and make your own Playdoh feast, or act in a play, or sculpt a book castle. We employ a wide variety of local artists and performers, and hope to keep making this an annual event (this is our third, and they’re getting bigger).
How did you get into puppetry and street theatre?
I’ve been performing since 1994, and was bitten by puppetry in 2003. I’m lucky enough to have toured around Australia and overseas doing this work, with a background in dance, improvisation, and clowning.
How can kids get involved?
We’d love kids to bring their whole families, including grandparents. Bring your curiosity, your sense of adventure, your willingness to try something new and help out someone else who’s learning too. Be creative and playful. Be free! We do also need volunteers, so if older children want some experience assisting with arts and crafts activities, send us a message on our 100 Wonder Place Facebook page.
What should we expect for the upcoming event?
Just turn up to Spinks Park Lismore, Thursday 6 October, 11am–4pm. There will be a welcome to country, then the mayor will cut the ribbon and it’s on! Dance workshops, a band, giant knitting nancies, storytelling tent, papercraft marquee, a yarn barn… the list goes on. We will stop the site for a picnic lunch 1–1.30, and if there’s wet weather we’ll be up at NORPA in City Hall. Come join the festivities, and the celebration of creative community connections.
AUSLAN interpreted and fully wheelchair accessible.
