A FREE, multi-arts and culture gathering aiming to lift community spirits and raise awareness of the local, not-for-profit arts and cultural scene will be held over two days in Dromana.
LIFT, presented by the Peninsula Culture Collective, will give people the chance to explore artistic self-expression and discover the talents within not-for-profit arts and culture organisations.
From 30 April to 1 May, the old Dromana Community Hall shire offices and surrounding gardens will be transformed into a creative and cultural arts studio and performance pop-up precinct.
Inspired by the theme that the arts can promote positive change and ‘lift’ communities, LIFT invites people to immerse themselves in music, dance and theatre performances and cultural practices, including a smoking ceremony and yidaki meditation, plus multiple participatory writing and singing workshops throughout the day.
The program features mixed media workshops in drawing, collage, monotype (printmaking), a creative writing from the senses workshop and a special spontaneous choir experience, as well as inspiring workshops in contemporary dance and theatrical improvisation for kids, young people and adults.
The event will be the first creative collaboration for the Peninsula Culture Collective, a group of six Mornington Peninsula organisations – Dreamhouse Theatre Company, Living Culture, MP Music Network, Peninsula Studio Trail, Peninsula Writers Club and Spark Productions.
The collective evolved during COVID lockdowns, with six not-for-profit organisations working with Mornington Peninsula Arts and Culture to explore alliances that would celebrate culture and the arts on the peninsula.
Peninsula Culture Collective president, Carole Patullo, said the peninsula had missed so many creative moments in the past two years.
“Our community deserves a boost as we reconnect with creating, and performing, and one another,” said.
“This is a perfect opportunity for anyone with an interest in or passion for creativity and culture to gather together – we can all inspire and learn from one another and lift our spirts creating as a community.”
Attendees are invited to roll out their picnic rugs to enjoy more than 20 live performances, workshops, demonstrations and cultural practices throughout the building and gardens, all free of charge. Gourmet food trucks will be on site.
The accessible event aims to support artists, while encouraging the community to create and celebrate the arts together.
LIFT is supported by the Mornington Peninsula Shire Creative Community Grant and features in the two-week Mornington Peninsula Arts and Culture festival.
It will be held on Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May, 2022 from 10.45am – 4.30pm.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 29 March 2022
