Scholarship awarded to pass on aboriginal arts

Ms Lynelle Elliott of Woy Woy has been awarded an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship by the Hunter TAFE Foundation.

The $500 scholarship will enable Ms Elliott to pass on her knowledge of the artistic techniques of and meaning behind aboriginal arts.

"This scholarship will enable me to travel across the Hunter, Central Coast and Sydney to engage arts institutions, communities and businesses in the cross-pollination of cultures, ideas, inspiration and collaboration," she said.

"It will also help build a body of work for a market stall to sell my works, bringing a degree of self-sufficiency."

Ms Elliott has previously presented art and painting workshops for school children.

More recently she was employed as cultural educator with Newcastle business Speaking In Colour.

As an educator, she said she used coiling and weaving techniques to build cultural competencies within school, groups and corporate settings.

"I find visual arts a great avenue for self-expression, culture and creative freedom," said Ms Elliott.

"It allows me to express my connection to spirit, the land, community and my true self.

"It has allowed me to work with inspiring teachers, elders and other creatives.

"Visual arts allows for open engagement with others, young or old, building relationships through both the learning process and the exhibition of work."

This year she is also a member of the Gosford Regional Gallery's Aboriginal Reference Group, tasked with bringing collaboration, inspiration and understanding to aboriginal cultural recognition and perspectives.

Donated by the City of Newcastle, the scholarship has been funded by the council for the last four years.

SOURCE:

Media release, 14 Jun 2019

Kristy Sheppard, TAFE NSW