Kwinana artists recognised for contributions to arts and culture

FOUR very talented and inspiring local artists were recognised for their contributions to enhancing arts and culture within Kwinana.

They were each presented an award at the City of Kwinana’s Inaugural Arts and Culture Awards on November 8.

Year nine Gilmore College student Shakaylee Wallam was awarded the Junior Performing Arts Person of the Year.

The proud young indigenous woman is a talented visual artist, singer and dancer.

Laughing Horse Productions’ founder Kelly Salathiel was awarded Performing Arts Person of the Year.

She founded the not-for-profit local theatre company.

She is a passionate and dedicated member of the Kwinana Performing Arts community.

Carissa-Joy Winter was awarded Junior Visual Arts Person of the Year.

She is a skilled artist who works with various mediums, from paint and pencil, sculpture and pottery, to photography.

She was recently one of 12 finalists in the City of Rockingham Youth Art Awards.

Gifted musician, artist and painter; Ashley Collard was awarded the Visual Arts Person of the Year.

He is a very talented indigenous man who works for Clontarf Academy, based at Gilmore College.

During the event there were performances from local artists, and an exhibition at the purpose-built Amphitheatre located behind the Koorliny Arts Centre.

Mayor Carol Adams said the awards were a celebration and thankyou to the City’s talented individuals.

“They are a celebration of a multitude of art forms – dance, music, performance, visual arts and media that mirror the diversity of our City and its artists,” she said.

“We believe that art has the power to build bridges, to communicate and to celebrate cultural diversity across communities and people.”