Footscray Community Arts Centre

Arts Envoys

Footscray Community Arts Centre’s Arts Envoys program is an exciting initiative that aims to create community ambassadors for the arts in the West.

The Arts Envoys program returns in 2009 with Footscray Arts again supporting supporting leaders who are seeking to enhance their community’s engagement with the arts.This year, the Arts Envoys will work towards producing the OK Corral - a major installation and performance outcome as part of Big West Festival in November. The OK Corral will consist of a ring of shipping containers, each being a unique installation, gallery or performance space curated by one of the Arts Envoys.  Within this circle of containers will be a shared performance space that will host food stalls, live performances, workshops and much more.  Stay tuned for more details of the OK Corral project.

But for now, we would like to introduce you to our Art Envoys for 2009…

Daniel Zewdu

Daniel has a fantastic Ethiopian radio program in Amharic on 3CR and is an administrator with the Big West Festival.  Daniel produced part of the music prorgam of the 2007 Big West Festival and is a passionate supporter of local Ethiopiam musicians.  He has also been a committee member and vice-president of the Ethiopian Community Association of Australia. Click here to read a recent interview with Daniel.

Emeretta Cross

A passionate representative of the Tuvaluan and Kiribati communities, Emeretta continually advocates for environmental awareness and action for the islands.  Emeretta works tirelessly to support cultural opportunities particularly for young islander community members and has been involved with the Centre’s activities since 2008.

Ezeldin Deng

Emigrating from Sudan in 2004, Ezeldin is a filmmaker, actor and rapper with the Nubian Knights - a hip hop group born out of the Centre’s ID Check project in 2005.  Ezeldin has just completed a short film course at the VCA, is passionate about his community and lives his beliefs through his artistic work.

Jerome Tanuvasa

Jerome, aka ‘Ruff’ is a krumper and ring master extraordinaire!  A long standing member of Melbourne’s foremost krump family, The Royal Fam, Ruff has recently produced sell out krump battles at Section 8 in the city.

Metse Hagos

Of Ethiopian descent, Metse is the Centre’s DJ of choice.  Now touring the nation with the highly regarded hip hop crew, Diafrix, Metse first developed his skills through the Centre’s ID Check project in 2005 and has also produced works with the Nubian Knights.  He’s just acquired a big beast of a vintage Mercedes and is passionate about exposing members of his community to positive musical experiences.

Paola Balla

Paola Balla is a Wemba Wemba & Gunditjmara woman & is a visual artist and community artist with over ten years experience. She is an inaugural graduate of the Bachelor of Education, Nyerna Studies program, Victoria University and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Community Cultural Development Practice from the Victorian College of Arts, where she is currently completing her Masters in CCD. Paola has taught in & shared Indigenous art and culture in schools, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Museum, & Indigenous educator at the Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria.

Plath Diar

Plath is a Sudanese singer and has recently established the Sudanese Artists’ Association.  Every weekend, together with other passionate Sudanese musicians, Plath rehearses here at the Centre.  A man of many talents he is also establishing his own driving school and is an experienced martial artist.

For further information about Arts Envoys please contact Bec Reid, Producer, Arts & Community on 9362 8888 or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).