Land and Art Combine for Armadale Arts Bush Trail

Members of the public are invited to join in the creativity from this Saturday 4 May where internationally renowned land artist Elaine Clocherty will lead the inaugural Armadale Arts Bush Trail.

The accessible arts trail at Settlers Common will provide a unique art experience as part of this year’s Armadale Arts Festival, highlighting plenty of local talent,with a number of community groups and schools creating some of the artworks on display.

Two local artists, Elise Marshall and Renae Whyte have worked with Elaine to inspire and guide local groups and schools in their land art endeavours, resulting in some fabulous designs being produced.

Groups involved include Armadale Senior High School, Armadale Settlers Common Working Group, Bungendore Park Environmental Group, Pioneer Village School Armadale and the Wildflower Society of Western Australia (Armadale Branch).

Elaine Clocherty said the work being undertaken for the Arts Bush Trail, known as Land Art, only uses what is found in the bush – including seeds, nuts, bark and sticks.

“As the ecological crisis grows, we need to find ways to re-connect to nature and with our local communities. Land Art is a hands-on way to help create connection, whether in participation and creation of a work, or simply by getting out into the bush, having a walk and letting the artworks tell you stories of nature's place,” Elaine said.

Elaine has been a site specific artist for 20 years, working directly on the land using local, natural materials found on the landscape allowing for stories and characteristics of a place to directly inform the work.

City of Armadale’s Mayor Henry Zelones OAM, JP said it is wonderful for the Armadale Arts Festival to highlight the City’s natural environment, especially in Settlers Common, which has been the focus of the committed volunteers from the Armadale Settlers Common Working Group for many years.

“The Armadale Arts Festival is not just about celebrating art, it is also about celebrating the committed groups in our local community, of which there are many. The Armadale Arts Bush Trail is a great way for traditionally non-arts groups to be showcased through this festival, as well as providing members of the public the chance to try their own hands with creating in nature while contributing to an artwork,”  Mayor Zelones said.

Armadale Settlers Common is open all year round for visitors. The Armadale Arts Bush Trail will be presented from 6 to 19 May, from 10am to 2pm each day.   

For all the details visit the website at armadaleartsfestival.com.au