Street soccer and art are coming together in one place when the Homeless World Cup comes to Melbourne on Monday 1 December.
After the final whistle on the first day of play Australian sellers of The Big Issue magazine will showcase their personal stories through dramatic readings of their writing.
Australian vendors of The Big Issue have been flexing their artistic muscles with free weekly writing workshops – supported through a $20 000 Australia Council community partnerships- project and professional development grant.
Led by award winning authors Arnold Zable and Alicia Sometimes, the workshops have been a welcome outlet for some of Melbourne’s most marginalised residents.
Having experienced long term unemployment, Margaret sells The Big Issue outside Young and Jacksons in Melbourne’s CBD. She said the Australia Council supported project opened up a whole new world to her.
“It felt like a chicken breaking out of an egg. My favourite part is when we hear each other’s work. It’s encouraging to hear how the world is viewed by so many other people and how life has taken twists and turns for us all.”
Artistic coordinator Mari Lourey said: “This project has been an opportunity for some of the most disadvantaged in our community to develop their confidence and creative expression. These workshops have been a place where they can shine, be creative and heard in their own right”.
Homeless, not Artless is a showcase of their work, including short films and spoken word performances, premiering at the end of the first day of play in the Homeless World Cup, 1 December, 2008, 6.45pm – 9pm at ACMI Cinemas Federation Square, Melbourne.
To purchase tickets in advance visit the box office at Federation Square or visit www.acmi.net.au
Australia Council media contact:
Victoria Haschka
(Tel) 0410 322 431
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