Marcia Hines was a special guest when 21 young Central Coast artists received grants ranging from $500 to $5000 on Sunday, November 6, at the annual Bouddi Foundation for the Arts Awards Day at Wagstaffe Hall.
Chairman of the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts, Shakespearean actor and theatrical director John Bell, presented awards totalling $57,600 in a ceremony featuring presentations from four grantees and capped by a stirring rendition by Hines of the song You.
Since its inception in 2011, the Foundation has made 186 grants worth over $375,500.
Award grantee Fletcher Pilon, a singer/songwriter from Wamberal whose aim is to be “a headline act in a big arena concert,” opened on stage with his original and evocative tune Nothing is Here for Long.
Young and already accomplished flautist, Brooklyn resident Kayla Lush, amazed the audience with her unaccompanied Debussy piece for flute, Syrinx.
Promising Umina Beach writer, actor, and director Max Lindhardt-Ward brought down the house with his comedic monologue between a son and a deceased mother.
Rising Musical Theatre singer and dancer Lily Kennedy-Head, of Avoca Beach, wrapped up grantee performances with a beautiful cover of Quiet by Jonathan Reid Gealt, made famous by Natalie Weiss.
“Every year, I am astonished at the depth of talent among young people from the Central Coast and 2022 is no exception,” Bell said.
“Indeed, the level of artistry displayed seems to be improving despite the debilitating effects of the pandemic on the arts and artists across Australia and the world.”
The 21 grants cover a wide range of artistic pursuits, including traditional and classical dance, contemporary and classical music, songwriting, theatrical prop making, filmmaking, painting and musical theatre.
Grantees hail from 14 suburbs across the Central Coast.
Following the presentation of grants, Bell interviewed Hines on her more than four-decade career in Australia, beginning in April 1970 when, at the age of 16, she debuted in the Australian stage production of“Hair.
Hines offered valuable and inspirational career guidance from her own experience – including career and personal challenges – to the assembled young artists as they begin their careers in the arts.
Born in Boston to Jamaican parents, Hines told the young people she gained her love for music performing in church choirs, where her love of gospel music was also born.
“When I entered the arts I was asked ‘Why don’t you get a real job?’,” she said.
“But you have to keep your eye on the prize and practise constantly.
“If you get offered a gig and don’t know if you can do it – say yes and then find someone who can teach you how to do it.”
Hines also donated tickets to her December 22 opening of Velvet Rewired at the Sydney Opera House as the raffle prize.
Grant applications for 2023 will open in March/April of next year.
Primary Sources: CCN video coverage and media release, Oct 8, 2022, Bouddi Foundation for the Arts