Esperance Yarning and Healing Dolls 2016 - 2018

The Esperance Yarning & Healing Dolls project culminated in a wonderful exhibition of well over 40 unique handmade dolls that tell stories of significance to the makers. This 12 month project involved 12 days of workshops on doll-making, eco-dyeing and basket making with visiting Noongar artists from Narrogin, Geri Hayden & Marcelle Riley, plus a series of interim workshops with local Aboriginal facilitator Colleen Frost. The dolls, baskets and eco-dye creations were exhibited for 3 weeks in a pop-up gallery in the centre of town. They were then also displayed at the Esperance Public Library and in Esperance Community Arts Space. We are currently finalising a printed catalogue that will feature all the dolls included in the exhibition. This project has been primarily led by Aboriginal women and created opportunities for non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal community members to work together

The Esperance Nyungar Doll-Making project started in October 2016 with Narrogin-based Noongar artists Geri Hayden & Marcelle Riley.  This 12 month project inspired by CAN WA’s ‘Yarns of the Heart’ project has successfully engaged a wide range of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal participants, with an average of 20 people attending each of the workshops that Hayden & Riley have facilitated. It has created opportunities for women of all ages to learn new skills and work together. This project is part of our broader Indigenous Arts Project and has been run in partnership with Escare Incorporated and Seawater families. It will conclude with a community exhibition and the production of an exhibition  catalogue in October 2017.