With the assistance of Latrobe University Museum of Art, ‘Pets of LaTrobe’ set out to build upon the bridges of communication between Latrobe Lifeskills and the wider university community. Last year’s art exhibition ‘Together’ featured portraits of a selection of Latrobe University community members. This year, we invited the staff and students of LaTrobe University to send in photos of their pets to be immortalized on canvas.
Horses, cows, rats, rainbow lorikeets, alpacas, turtles- and what felt like a million cats and dogs. Over 70 pets were put forward – we didn’t have enough time or wall space to accommodate them all.
The exhibition was opened by Christine Bigby, Professor and Director of Postgraduate Programs in the School of Social Work and Social Policy at La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia. She is the Editor of ‘Australian Social Work’, and an associate editor of the ‘Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities’. Her research has focused on people ageing with lifelong disabilities, intellectual disability policy and case management.
Once again, the Latrobe Lifeskills art exhibition enabled Participants to experience the pride of seeing their work publically appreciated by friends, family and perfect strangers. Many participants experienced the satisfaction of selling their work. This year, the Latrobe Lifeskills online Artist shop made purchasing memorabilia from the exhibition more affordable. For those who missed out on buying the original painting, the paintings have inspired ranges of products that can be purchased online at this address*: http://www.redbubble.com/people/lifeskillsart?asc=u
Our Lifeskills shop means that artists have the opportunity to make a profit from their art 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as well as at big events such as the annual exhibition.
Thanks must go to all Lifeskills staff members for helping with the preparation for the evening and to the Participants who helped set up and serve refreshments. We are deeply grateful to Maritah for providing the background music that capped off an impressive showcase of the Latrobe Lifeskills contribution to the Creative Arts. Thanks to everyone who showed their support of Lifeskills by submitting their pets and/or attending the event.
Thanks must go to all Lifeskills staff members for helping with the preparation for the evening and to the Participants who helped set up and serve refreshments. We are deeply grateful to Maritah for providing the background music that capped off an impressive showcase of the Latrobe Lifeskills contribution to the Creative Arts. Thanks to everyone who showed their support of Lifeskills by submitting their pets and/or attending the event.
Thank you to the staff at LUMA, particularly Isabella Holding and Anita La Pietra, without whom our exhibitions would not be the same and a massive thanks to all the talented artists who shared their art with us. Without you there would be no exhibition.