Mandurah to showcase WA’s best regional art and culture in a state-wide summit

On Friday morning, member for Mandurah and minister for arts and culture David Templeman officially opened early bird registrations for the event.

The summit is part of a partnership between the City of Mandurah, Country Arts WA and the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre (MPAC) and hopes to put the artistic talent of regional Western Australia on show.

The project is funded through the Royalties for Regions Creative Regions programs which hopes to encourage regional artists to share their talent.

At the official launching event at MPAC, Country Arts WA chairman Ross Beckett highlighted Wearable Art as a great example of the talent and creativity in regional WA and handed the first official ticket to Mr Templeman.

“Country Arts WA sees first hand the success stories that Royalties for Regions Creative Regions Program delivers to the people of regional WA,” he said.

“The funding will support and help showcase amazing regional arts at the summit this October.”

Mandurah mayor Marina Vergone said she hoped the event would be an opportunity for Mandurah to show its leadership role arts, culture and heritage.

“Bringing conferences and events like this to our special part of the world is part of the City’s ongoing goal to attract major sporting and cultural events to Mandurah,” she said.

Mr Templeman echoed Ms Vergone’s words and highlighted the need to see arts, heritage and culture not as an integral aspect of the state’s economy.

“The local government can and needs to be the leader [in promoting arts and culture],” he said.

“Let’s make Mandurah and the Peel region shine.”

He said the event would include elements of Aboriginal culture, a strong presence of Noongar ambassadors, and Aboriginal and bushfire-inspired installations.

Summit food ambassador Don Hancey will also be in charge of the catering cooking special dishes using 100 per cent WA produce.

Following the official presentation of the summit, models wearing some of last year’s wearable art garments and the new collective piece La Mariposa performed in front of attendees.

The 2017 Regional Arts Summit will be held in Mandurah from October 12 to October 15.

For early bird registrations go to countryartswa.asn.au.