Youthful colour in regional arts

Kate Dawson, 2011 People’s Choice award winner

Colour Me Senseless is the region’s annual showcase of art from young people living in the Alexandrina and City of Victor Harbor Council areas.

Now in its 15th year, the project encourages emerging artists and students to be actively involved in the local art scene and to be proud to identify themselves as being from the area.

Alexandrina Council’s Youth Development Officer, Lucretia Sperring, explains Colour Me Senseless came about from the need to provide talented young artists with exhibition experience.

“It’s an opportunity for them to display their talents and abilities in a studio environment to the public which they might not otherwise have,” she says.

“They gain a lot by having their artwork viewed and the awards and prizes for age groups and people’s choice awards make a big difference too.”

The exhibition is held in conjunction with Off the Couch Academy, a four day musical symposium from Carclew that also serves as the official Awards Night of Colour Me Senseless on 28 September.

In a jam-packed exhibition calendar Colour Me Senseless stands out because it has been created specifically for young people.

“Anyone in the community aged between 13 and 25 living in theSouthern Fleurieuregion is welcome to take part,” says Lucretia. “We have a great relationship with schools and find regional schools are really supportive.”

During the three years that Lucretia has worked on program she has been constantly impressed by the variety of work being presented.

“We see everything from sculpture though to photography, oils to pastels. We’re really open about the artwork. One year an artist presented an amazing Barbie sculpture, there’s an incredibly diverse range of mediums that come through.”

“They participants get a chance to be acknowledged by the community on a broader level. The winners get a lot out of the people’s choice award particularly; it encourages them to believe that you can progress with your art.”

“Well known local artist Anja Halstead won People’s Choice Award in 2009 followed by the Artist of Choice award in 2010 then, to top off her fantastic run, she had her own exhibition at Goolwa’s South Coast Regional Arts Centre in 2011 as part of the Feast Festival. Art will always be a part of her life.”

The success of Colour Me Senseless is closely tied to the support of the Southern Fleurieu Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), the local schools, Alexandrina Council, City of Victor Harbor Council and the local young artists.

The exhibition runs from Monday 24 September until Sunday 30th September between 12pm and 4pm. Please contact Lucretia Sperring, Youth Development Officer on 0418 811 780 for further information.