BLAK SPRING: Blak Pearl Studio’s Annual group Show has now closed

You can still view works online HERE on Seventh Gallery’s website

Catalogue of works for sale can be accessed HERE
Keep your eyes peeled for Blak Pearl’s Online Shop - Which we aim to launch by the end of 2024

Artist Booklet PDF
available for download

With great excitement, we announce Blak Pearl Studio's annual exhibition will be in partnership with Seventh Gallery, running from mid-September through to mid-October. 

Under the guidance of Bunjileenee Uncle Robbie Thorpe, who will deliver workshops throughout the exhibition - the exhibition theme is Blak Spring. Falling in Guling Season the exhibition is a celebration of the beginning of the transition toward change and the anticipation of new growth to come. 

This year we have a selection of works from over 10 artists - many new to exhibiting with Blak Pearl. Ranging from paintings on canvas to designs painted on various fabrics, burnt animal skins, and an emu feather skirt testing the limits of length - all works are created by artists who regularly attend the studio and are devoted to their practices. 

LAUNCH NIGHT 
The exhibition will launch on 
Thursday 19th of September
6pm -8pm 

with a welcome and smoking by Uncle Ringo Terrick, performances by local artists, and a Free BBQ 

Information regarding Uncle Robbie's workshops is coming soon 

Catalogue including works for sale
available for download

FREE NAIDOC WORKSHOPS AT BLAK PEARL THIS WEEK

Working with Emu Feathers

Learn how to care for, assemble, and work Emu feathers into your jewelry or feather skirts with Aunty Minelle (Creed Custom Designs).
In this program you will learn to:

  • treat feathers

  • assemble with gum nuts or,

  • work into jewelry items

  • Those interested in working towards making Emu feather skirts are encouraged to attend both workshops

    Beginners and Advanced practitioners welcome
    First Nation's attendees participate for free
    Non-Indigenous community will be encouraged to make a donation

All Materials supplied - bring any nuts or seeds you may want to work into your design

Drop in to paint your message on banners for the NAIDOC March
All Materials + lunch and beverages provided
Make as many as you want

FREE

Fabric Painting

Learn the best techniques and methods to apply your painted designs to fabrics such as leather shoes, denim jackets and pants, and cotton t-shirts with Aunty Colleen Beeton
In this program you will be guided to:

  • Develop your deigns

  • Paint designs on to your materials of choice

  • Learn how best to use fabric painting tools

We will also have some screen printing from stencil options for those interested
Beginners and Advanced practitioners welcome
First Nation's attendees participate for free
Non-Indigenous community will be encouraged to make a donation

All Materials supplied - bring any clothing you want to work on

JOIN US TO CELEBRATE THE LAUNCH OF THE END-OF-YEAR EXHIBITION

Blak Pearl Studio is proud to present a collection of visionary works from First Nations Artists who gather at Blak Pearl to share their culture and creativity.

Beginning in the Blak Pearl Arts studio at the Florence Peel Centre in Fitzroy - and stretching across local inner-city locations- this exhibition is a collection of the creative expressions, artworks, media, and stories from the voices of Aboriginal people in the City of Yarra.

The Launch Party will take place on December 7th between 7pm -9pm and feature a welcome and smoking ceremony by Blak Pearl ambassador and Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Ringo Terrick, followed by Djirri Djirri Dancers and Music performance by members of the community such as Uncle Frank ‘Dootrule’ Wandin and Joe Boy.

The open studio exhibition will run from Dec 7th to the 22nd Wednesday to Friday. To see the exhibition outside of studio hours please contact Fjorn Bastos to make an appointment - 0477019417

This exhibition would not be possible without support from; Yarra Arts, Australian Cultural Fund, Pay the Rent, Inner North Community Foundation, Lord Mayors Charitable Foundation, Belgium Avenue Neighbourhood House Inc, Centre for Projection Art, and Community Bank Clifton Hill- North Fitzroy

Blak Pearl is a creative studio in Fitzroy that aims to provide a culturally safe environment for local Aboriginal peoples who cannot access mainstream spaces. It is a place to gather and connect, develop and expand on artistic skills, and showcase the artistic outcomes of a talented and underrepresented community.

Wednesday to Friday the Studio provides a cooked lunch, food aid and some material aid, access to artistic materials such as paints, canvas, wood burners etc, and is staffed by members of the local community.

The Studio will release its annual plan of workshops, programs and events soon. The studio is open for use for partnering organisations requiring a community led site that is wheelchair accessible or a culturally safe site to access clients within the region

The initiative aims to establish an appropriate and sustainable sovereign-led operational model and set up a viable permanent space for the community. The first stage of the program is being delivered by Future Tense in partnership with a network of support service organisations such as BAHN Inc, North Richmond Community Health, City of Yarra, Neighbourhood Justice Centre, and Connecting Home, guided by an Elders Advisory Committee.

We need your help to make all this possible!

We are seeking support to cover general operating costs such as staffing, consumables, training, and materials, and to assist us to better represent Blak Pearl artists via this years public activations program.
Your support will enable Blak Pearl to realise its ambitions and create a positive space for its community to thrive.
Donations are tax deductible

Uncle Ringo Terrick speaking about Blak Pearl’s 2023 aspirations

IMAGE: Yarri and Patch by Tracy Briggs

IMAGE: Studio Room 1

As of June 2023 we are:

  • Running the drop-in studio Wednesday to Friday 12pm-5pm

  • Providing art materials and facilitators on site

  • Providing a daily lunch + access to a stocked fridge with cheese, meat, bread, and beverages such as tea, coffee, and juices

  • Providing quality garments in collaboration with Goodbyes for those who need work or formal attire

  • Providing mutual aid items such as tents, bikes, sanitary packs

  • Working with the Elder advisory committee to establish governance mechanisms, cultural safety protocols and programming focuses, and

  • Planning Community events (see NEWS for more info)

    • NAIDOC Banner painting - Wednesday 5th July

  • Creating offerings with our Partnership Network (announcement soon)

For more information or to inquire about how you can get involved please contact the Blak Pearl team at Blakpearlfitzroy@gmail.com

The Community

“There’s a lot of people in the community that do wood burning, pottery, and painting - there’s so much talent and it’s getting wasted. They’re all coming out of prison... and they have nowhere to paint and show their artwork. There’s a lot of potential [at Florence Peel Centre], it’s a space where people can have time out and feel safe from things like domestic violence and all that. They’ll just paint and heal their soul.”

— Aunty Tracey - Blak Pearl Community Advisor

“This is a golden opportunity for a friendly safe space for my people in Collingwood/ Fitzroy and the city - all the Blackfellas there.”

— Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Elder Uncle Ronald ‘Ringo’ Terrick

“It’s a place to come down to do artwork, share stories. A lot of the people in the community have talent, they just need a push. We never had something like this [Florence Peel Centre] to offer them, so now that they have this you’ll be able to pull a lot of people in and make a change.”

— Angela - Yarra and Blak Pearl Community member

Blak Pearl is supported by