A collection of short stories written by Central Coast residents will be showcased at Gosford’s Parkhouse Gallery from September 4-9.
The collection is the result of Central Coast Writes, a project which saw 80 people gather in library branches at Erina, Woy Woy, Lake Haven and Tuggerah with the aim of writing creatively about their lives.
The project was designed and edited by local author and Director of Bravewords, Adrienne Ferreira.
“What began with an introduction to life writing progressed to smaller writing groups, where people were guided to develop a true story for publication,” Ferriera said.
“They were also taught how to run their own writing groups beyond the project.
“Illustration workshops were then held for young artists to bring their visual interpretations to these deeply personal tales.
The result is a powerful collection of true stories, written by mostly older residents and illustrated by emerging artists, to be showcased at the Parkhouse gallery in Gosford, along with an online anthology published through bravewords.com.au.
Supported by Central Coast Council, Create NSW, and the 5 Lands Artists Collective, the project brought people of different ages together to build creative skills, collaborate and have deeper conversations.
“True stories told with honesty and creative flair are a dynamic way to share life experiences,” Ferreira said.
“My brief to the writers wasn’t simply ‘tell us what happened’ (but) rather ‘What does it feel like to be alive?’.
“They engaged their emotions and all of their senses to create vivid and moving stories from the heart of our community.”
Ferreira said she was surprised at the variety of topics people chose to write about.
“The loss of a loved one; rescuing a pet from floodwaters; a moment of terror in the surf; the challenges of raising a family,” she said.
“What all the stories share is a deep connection to place, and they tell us more about who we are on the Central Coast.”
The exhibition will allow writers and artists to meet, discuss their creative approach and celebrate their collaboration.
One participant was Faye Kepper, whose story Return to Terrigal Beach features in the collection.
“I heard about Central Coast Writes through Erina library,” she said.
“With a past career as a copywriter, words have always been part of my life, but I lacked creativity — or thought I did, till I met Adrienne Ferreira of Bravewords.
“Coming together with like-minded local residents, making new friends and sharing skills I didn’t know I was capable of, I have achieved so much over the last few months and it has given my life a new sense of value and enjoyment.
“Adrienne has given me the confidence to write from my heart — a whole new world has opened up to me.
“A few of us have gone on to form our own writing groups and taken part in other Bravewords classes.
“My goal is to leave my family some stories from my most fortunate life.”
Other stories featuring include” The Big Wet by Sean Crawley, illustrated by Joshua Beaton; The Shack by Lynne Matson, illustrated by Therese Gabriel Wilking; Finding Equilibrium by Deb McTaggart, illustrated by Giorgia Chapman; and My Beach: 1955 by Julie Atchison, illustrated by Cathi Ogden.
To learn more about the lives of locals, visit the Parkhouse Gallery in Kibble Park, Gosford, between September 4 and 9 or head to bravewords.com.au for more details.
Source:
Media release, Aug 10
Bravewords
