Art In the Park 2021

After an absence of 10 years it’s really great that Art in the Park is back! And it’s not only back, but bursting with over 30 entries displayed throughout 100 Acres Reserve. If you want to see Art in the Park, make sure to go for a walk through today or by the time entrants start taking pieces down after 1.00pm on Sunday 28 November.

The genesis of this great event was to provide the opportunity to get ourselves and our art out and into the beautiful Reserves, National Parks and open spaces that surround us. As with previously years, there is an incredible range of humorous, thought provoking, skilfully made and beautiful creations on display.

Community Arts would like to sincerely thank the people who entered this year, it’s only due to you that we have this event. There really are over 30 excellent reasons to take a wander through 100 Acres Reserve right now!

Make sure to participate with interactive pieces (Shari and Leisel’s ‘The Magic Xylophone’ and ‘Primitive Percussion’) and reflect on beautiful and moving

entries (Glenda Ewin’s ‘Hope’ and The Norfolk Wave Campaign’s ‘Neptune’s Garden’). There are many really skilfully made pieces (Anona and Brett Buffett-Cooper’s two entries; Brad Cowgill’s Round Tuit’; and Wayne and the Basket Cases ‘Ding Dong’). Thoroughly enjoy our letl artist’s work (In A’ Stick Nature Playgroup and Letl Playgroup, Arlo and Sunny Robinson, Josie Newman, NICS Year 2, Josiah, Jireh and Miceh Bosley). There’s plenty of humour to enjoy (Katherine Jauczius Marg Simpson!, the prolific Kessa’s entries and Lisa Richard’s wrapped trunk). Some artists have cleverly used natural materials in their excellent entries (Donna and Glenys, Sophie McDonald, Caryn Harrington and Shelly Walker). Make sure not to miss the Fairy Grans ‘Find a fairy Door’ (Lynn Mosley, Trish Natoli, Eliane Nielsen, Sharon Nicol and Yvonne Cunningham).

Art in the Park is not a competition and encourages everyone to have a go. However at the opening on Saturday a Viewer’s Choice was available with over 80 people casting a vote. The winner of the Viewer’s Choice is Glenda Ewin’s ‘Hope’, with a tie for 2^nd place between The Norfolk Wave Campaign’s ‘Neptune’s Garden’ and Wayne and the Basket Cases (Mikiela, Chelsea, Vinnie, Nicole and Emma) ‘Ding Dong’. Third place went to Shari and Leisel’s ‘Primitive Percussion’.

The very first Art in the Park was held in 2001 in the Botanic Gardens and was organised with National Parks and Community Arts co-ordination by Margaret Christian and Miles Sanderson. Marg and Miles co-ordinated the first few years, then Alison Ryves took over from Miles. Ken Christian of course has had an active role behind the scenes throughout. Over the years we have held the event in Palm Glen, Mt Pitt Summit, 100 Acres (twice), Simons Water, Captain Cooks, Kingston and even in Burnt Pine with Art In The Village. It’s great to be back at 100 Acres again in 2021.

The opening held last Saturday was a perfect day with close to 100 people visiting over the course of the afternoon. Many were able to enjoy a sausage sizzle as they walked about, with thanks to the Lions Club of Norfolk Island – just delicious thankyou Yvonne and Denys! One of the reasons why 100 Acres was chosen for the event, is because the Reserve is looking absolutely amazing, thanks to the work of the Coral Berry Crusaders who have weeded the park over the past 15 months. The weeders are an inspiration of Jude Andersen, who runs it each week under Flora & Fauna’s umbrella. As the Reserve is owned by NIRC, Environmental Project Officer Lilli King liaises with Jude and her work team.

Lilli officially opened Art in the Park for 2021 and in her speech commented: “Originally listed as ‘Rocky Point Reserve’ in 1890 and renamed ‘100 Acre Reserve’ in 1937, this area was originally reserved for forestry purposes. To my knowledge, 100 Acres was an experimental area, used to determine which species would thrive in Norfolk’s climate. Stories tell of Eucalyptus plantations and species like Coconut Palm, Elm and Flat Stone Peach that used to exist in the reserve. However, as it transitioned into more of a conservation site these species were either removed or disappeared naturally over the years. Remnants of this experimental period can still

be seen in the presence of species like Blackbean, Red Cedar, Mulberry, Orange and Coffee. The present day reserve now consists of 55 Acres of prime native vegetation and boasts the largest area of coastal Oak and Pine forest on the island. It is home to the only population of one of Norfk’s most endangered endemic land snails and provides a breeding ground for forest birds and migratory seabirds alike, such as Emerald doves, Gerygones, Noddies, Terns and Goesbad. Rats and cats, along with red parrots, feral chickens and ducks all pose a threat to the native flora and fauna, with nesting birds, snails and native seeds suffering as a result of their presence. Control of these species is constantly being undertaken to ensure the survival of our natural biodiversity. Excitingly, we’ve had regular sightings of green parrots in here over the last few months, and perhaps they’re even breeding”.

“As with any natural area, invasive weeds pose a constant threat and 100 Acres is no exception. Weeds like Coral Berry, Box thorn and madeira Vine are an ever present issue. It is thanks to Jude and the Coral Berry Crusaders that the reserve is looking as beautiful as it is today. Within a few weeks of removing the invasive understory plant, we saw the comeback of our native Parietaria debilis, a shrubby groundcover plant that had been rarely sighted in the years prior. The Coral Berry Crusaders have volunteered over 2500 hours of their time over the last 16 months to the conservation of our unique environment. Their work is far from over though, with new Coral Berry seedlings springing up all the time from the seeds leftover in the soil. I’d like to take this moment to thank all of our wonderful volunteers for their time, enthusiasm and perseverance. If anyone here might be interested in joining our team, we meet at the Homestead entrance of the Reserve every Wednesday morning at 9am. It’s a lovely way to give back to this place that gives us so much”.

Make sure to visit Art in the Park at 100 Acres Reserve – but make sure you do so before about 1pm morla!

Photos: Glenda Ewin’s Hope; The Norfolk Wave Campaign’s Neptune’s Garden; Wayne and the Basket Cases Ding Dong; Shari and Leisle’s Primitive Percussion; NICS Year 2, UHT Chicks; Kessa’s Grumpians.