Zines From The Heart

 For the last two months I've been facilitating Zine making workshops with two groups of adults from Prahran Mission and Sacred Heart rooming house as part of a workshop series for Where The Heart Is 2012 festival. The festival happens once a year at the Edinburgh Gardens, and is for people experiencing homelessness and social isolation. Last Friday we celebrated the beautiful artwork created by participants which you can see below.

The festival is one of my favorite days in the year and is a true coming together of community hearts, minds and souls. It was an honour to be present to the unfolding of creation that happened in the art room each week. The participants shared thoughts and experiences from their lives full of wisdom and humour, and as one festival goer said, 'these books should be given to our polititians to read!'

There was something special in the making of art that is both personal and small. The big picture contained within something you can hold in your hand. Zine making allowed each participant to self publish what is important within their own lives and to have their voices heard.  Here are some pictures of the Zines in progress.

A fold out coffee table book that the reader can arrange freshly each day. The images and drawings trace the artist's path to the art room from her home.

 Poetry and drawing, offered as a notebook. Each flower has its own personality and sensitivity.

Unbound....

And bound... A tiny book of words that offer wisdom and strength.

For me, the best part of showing the works at the festival was being able to sit inside the space we created with the artists involved in the program. As festival goers entered the installation, they had the opportunity to meet the artists. The artists delighted in seeing people moved by their art, and together we told the story of creating the show.

The installation structure was made from flags hand painted by participants from previous programs, and this inspired an invitation to catch up again with the beautiful souls who made them. I feel immense gratitude to all the participants of this year's program, for their commitment, openess to possibility (and to me entering their space!), the honesty and integrity that they have imbued their works with. Yay for art to bring us all together!