Ten participants from the Tuesday Night Club in Blacktown took part in a free workshop with musician and facilitator, Mark Shepherd as part of Accessible Arts’ Outreach Program. After a pizza dinner to line the stomach and to warm up the throat the group got hands on with the Special Access Kit to create a mish mash of marvellous music! Stay tuned for next week as the Special Access Kit hits Pecky’s in Prospect!
Tutor profile: Mark Shepherd
Mark worked as as a carer and community educator with The Spastic Centre St Ives for several years. During his time there he conducted an extensive music program geared towards creating music with people with disabilities. He uses digital technology, that is, sound beams, a Banana keyboard and music software to make access to the music as inclusive and participatory as possible. He also uses many percussive instruments to involved the classes in soundscape and music creation. He is currently freelancing as a music facilitator for people with a disability with Sunnyfield disability service and various organisations across Sydney.
Accessible Arts partnered with Information & Cultural Exchange to deliver a series of six workshops in sound and image collection. The workshops engaged various special schools, support units, day programs and accommodation services in the Hawkesbury, Penrith and Blue Mountains region, and more than fifty participants were actively involved. Under the direction of professional artists, participants used mini disc recorders and digital stills cameras to capture the sights and sounds that constitute the Places and Spaces they inhabit.
Participating services include Tallowood Special School (Kellyville); Xavier College (Llandilo); AFFORD Day Options (Windsor); AFFORD Cherrywood Accommodation Service (Llandilo); Disability Enterprises – Leura Day Options (Blue Mountains).
As part of My Space, My Place a multimedia exhibition showcasing the results of the workshops will take place at the Powerhouse Youth Theatre, Fairfield.
Cherrywood Accommodation Service (Llandilo) & Leura Day Options (Katoomba)
