Multicap’s Centre of Creative Arts (COCA) teams at Capalaba and Eight Mile Plains designed and created a group of adorable koalas for display at Capalaba Shopping Centre to promote koala conservation.
The COCA team were approached by Redland City Councillor, Adelia Berridge on behalf of the Koala Action Group in September last year to commission the koalas.
As part of the project, Multicap artists researched the way koalas behave and live to help shape their sculptures, drawing illustrations of local species. The COCA artists then created the koalas from recycled chicken wire, newspaper and hessian.
COCA artists from Capalaba and Eight Mile Plains have completed this project under the expert assistance of Multicap Arts Facilitator Denise Miller who is a professional sculptor.
“It’s been a pleasure to be part of this project. Its opened discussion with our artists with disability about conservation and caring for the planet,” said Denise.
“We’ve been able to discuss the importance of caring for the Koala’s Eco System while developing our artistic skillset during this installation project. Our COCA artists have learnt about koala vulnerability in our society and why we need to protect koala habitat.
The COCA artists are excited about the project because they love koalas and want to encourage everyone to be aware of how we all play a role to ensuring their safety.
Multicap customer and COCA artist Shane is excited to have learnt so much about Koalas and was proud to contribute to the important message to protect our koalas.
“I love making Koalas, it’s a fun project,” Shane said. “I think they are gorgeous; I want to make sure people know what we’re doing, we’re protecting koalas!”
Multicap customer and COCA artist Cherie was thrilled to be part of the project she cares so much about.
“I’ve never hugged a koala, but I’d like to.”
The koala display was displayed outside of Target at the Capalaba Shopping Centre.
Multicap’s COCA program supports artists across all art forms to achieve their full potential and take their work to the public. Dancers, visual artists and writers all thrive in the program learning professional skills to showcase their work at festivals, exhibitions and displays.
For more information about the Centre of Creative Arts in your area, please phone 1300 135 886 or email [email protected].