Fusion Arts Colony
The Fusion Arts Colony is a group of artists and creative people from all over the globe who come to live and carry on their work together in the unique and inspiring context of the Poatina village community in Tasmania, Australia.
The aim is for each individual to develop artistic work and skill whilst growing emotionally, socially and spiritually as people seeking to serve the community through their creative work.
Disciplines / Facilities Artist in Residence Program Drama GroupGlass Beadmaking
Disciplines / Facilities
All disciplines, including visual and performing arts are welcome and a development project is currently underway to create purpose built facilities for the colony in the inspiring natural setting of the new southern part of Poatina. The new site enjoys 360 degrees of bush, mountain and valley views and the first building will be erected in 2007. The design for the new space utilizes a newly renovated and outfitted aircraft hangar, including provision for mezzanine studio spaces as well as multi-purpose workshop facilities which will incorporate an exciting hot glass making facility. Longer term plans look forward to expanded studio and workshop facilities catering for all the arts, including a sound recording studio, textiles workshop and more.
A range of existing facilities may be utilised by members to produce their work. These include the original village hall with its 1950's stage and auditorium for performing arts, the recently upgraded Fusion Media video and audio production studio, and the Poatina Industries Metal Workshop. Visual artists currently utilize a small studio space nestled inside Poatina's village green complex, adjacent to the Piggi-Billa Art Gallery. The studio is a multi-purpose space and contains kilns and other equipment for works in ceramic and glass. Also within the village green complex is the provision of Poatina Picture Framing, offering artists professional and economical framing, as well as the chance to frame their own work.
Artist in Residence Program
The Arts Colony's AIR (Artist in Residence) Programme presents an exciting opportunity to become part of the arts colony for a specified period. Proposals are received year round from artists of all kinds outlining their intentions in regard to the creation of new work and the exploration of new areas of growth. Successful applicants may commit to stay from one week up to two years, depending on the nature of their proposal. For more information contact artscolony@fusion.org.au
Drama Group
The Poatina Drama Club formed in October 2006 as a community theatre group dedicated to improving theatre skills and increasing confidence in performance for members of the local community and for Fusion at large. The club meets weekly to conduct training activities and is also involved in the January Summer School of Arts at Poatina, developing short skits for street performances and festivals, as well as larger productions in connection with other community and professional theatre organizations. The group is lead by Leigh Wardhaugh - a graduate of the Dramatic Arts programme of the Rosebud School of the Arts in Rosebud Alberta, Canada.
The Drama group enjoys links with Rosebud School of the Arts, Canada which is a Post-Secondary school nestled in the Rosebud River valley about one hour east of Calgary and on the edge of the ‘Badlands’ in Alberta, Canada. The School teaches Acting, Dramatic Arts, Technical Theatre and Music in a one, two or three and a half year program. Associated with the School is a professional level Dinner-Theatre that caters to about 1000-1500 patrons each week for most of the year. The theatre is a key part of the training at the school.
Rosebud School of the Arts was also instrumental in developing the Canadian Badlands Passion Play which has over 10,000 patrons per year and the Canadian Badlands Dramatic Arts Summer School which trains year 9-12 students.
Fusion Canada and the Fusion Arts Colony in Poatina are in the process of developing ‘sister organization’ relationships with Rosebud School of the Arts and the Canadian Badlands Passion Play Society which is looking to share training, outreach and promotional activities. For more information visit www.rosebudschoolofthearts.com
Glass Lampworking and Beadmaking
The current Poatina arts facilities include gas torches for making glass beads and other items.
Aileen Rogers teaches classes in beadmaking one night a week for members of the Northern Midlands Community. For more information contact Aileen.