D'Faces of Youth Arts is a community youth arts organisation based in Whyalla, South Australia. It provides workshops and activities for young people aged 4 to 26 in theatre, dance, circus, visual arts and music[1][2] and members participate in a broad range of public events including performances, festivals and parades. The organisation celebrated its 21st anniversary in 2016.[3] As of 2022 the organisation is funded by Carclew,[4] plus project specific partners and sponsors.

History edit

The organisation was created in 1994[5] by Phillipa Sutherland.[3]

In 1998, D'Faces presented Shoot Me Now, a work investigating the subject of suicide in regional Australia. It was written by Fiona Sprott and directed by James Winter.[6]

In 1999, D'Faces presented Beautiful People at the Middleback Theatre in Whyalla. It was directed by Sasha Zahra.[7]

During the mid-2000s, artists engaged in D'Faces of Youth Arts projects included Jo Zealand, James Cochran, Finegan Kruckemeyer,[8] The New Pollutants, Alex Bickford, Annmarie Kohn, Nick O'Connor, Tamara Watson, Catheryne James and others.[9]

In 2005, D'Faces presented Open Arms, a play about refugees and immigration by Bryan Martin, directed by Priya Goldfinch.[10]

In 2006, D'Faces moved from the Middleback Theatre to a premises at 14 Viscount Slim Avenue, Whyalla Norrie.[11] That year D'Faces presented Limitations, written and directed by Stephen House.[12]

In 2008, D'Faces produced Artists Not Aliens, a short experimental film exploring Whyalla's preoccupation with sports and the alienation experienced by artists in the town. The film was directed by Jennifer Lyons-Reid and produced by Karl Kuddell.[13]

In 2009, D'Faces worked with Snuff Puppets on the People's Puppets Project[14] which led to performances at the Come Out Festival[15] in Adelaide city, at the Adelaide Airport[16] and in Whyalla. Artists involved included Andy Freer, Erin Hall,[17] Daniele Poidomani and Nick Wilson.[18]

Creative directors of D'Faces of Youth Arts have included Suzie Skinner (appointed in 2007),[19] Deborah Hughes (appointed in 2013),[11] Robert Golding, Olivia White, Samuel Wannan[20] and Anastasia Beasley.

At the time of Anastasia Beasley's appointment, D'faces was funded by Carclew[21]

2014-2022 edit

In 2014, Cirkids ran a circus skills workshop at D'Faces.[22] Rob Golding ran Club Clown, building children's performance skills[23] and Michal Hughes represented D'Faces at a workshop to encourage Whyalla participation in the SA History Festival.[24] D'Faces provided face-painting for Denise Sharp's workshop on making things from natural materials at the Whyalla library. Artist Silvia Friedrich led the Interactive Tactile Sculpture Jungle project to promote creativity through repurposing waste materials.[25] The organisation held an open day during Whyalla Pride Week in October 2014.[26] That year, the organisation won the Dr+Group Arts Award at the Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula Regional Awards, presented by Brand SA.[27]

In 2015, D'Faces' creative director was Deb Hughes. That year, the organisation partnered with the City of Whyalla to repaint the RiskIt skate park in bold colours, led by visual artist Matt Stuckey.[28] The group held workshops at Fishy Fringe supported by Onesteel and Arrium Mining. Fishy Fringe was also sponsored by BHP Billiton.[29] D'Faces hosted a songwriting workshop by I.R.I.S. during National Youth Week.[30] D'Faces held two workshop events during SA History Week: That was then... and Whyalla Stories.[31]

In 2016, D'Faces presented a performance of Twisted Fairy Tales, supported by OneSteel, Arrium Mining, and Carclew Youth Arts. The show also functioned as a farewell to Michal Hughes.[32] That year, D'Faces also participated in the City of Whyalla's inaugural Rainbow Run,[33][34] the inaugural McRitchie Park Fun Day,[35][36][37] and the launch of the Kids Matter initiative.[38]

In 2017 the organisation was involved in the inaugural UneARTh Festival, a partnership between Adelaide Fringe and the City of Whyalla.[39] The group offered performance workshops through their creation: The Chthonic Circus.[40][41] A $6500 charitable donation from the organisation YTAP (Young Tradespeople and Professionals) was used to purchase new circus equipment.[42] A DJing workshop was provided by DJ Tr!p[43] and D'Faces also participated in the 2017 GFG Alliance Christmas pageant.[44] The organisation received further $2750 grant from the Australian Government's Stronger Communities initiative to purchase more circus equipment.[45] In 2017, D'Faces' Deb Hughes was also working as the City of Whyalla's Arts & Cultural Facilitator.[46]

In 2018, D'Faces was managed by Olivia White. The organisation received funding from the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund, Country Arts SA, the Whyalla City Council, Carclew Youth Arts and community fundraising. D'Faces presented Area 53 at the UneARTh Festival, directed by Claire Glenn and Anthony Kelly.[47][48] The organisation also participated in Whyalla's ANZAC Eve Vigil for the first time.[49] Area 53 went on to win Best Community or Regional Event or Project at the Arts South Australia 2018 Ruby Awards

Board edit

As of 2022, the board membership of D'faces of Youth Arts Inc. is as follows:

Name Position Relevant interests
Deborah Hughes Chair Previous Company Manager
Ethan Klobucar Treasurer
Michal Hughes Member Regional performing artist[50]
Robert Golding Member Previous Company Manager
Samuel Wannan Member Artist,[51] Previous Company Manager
Baerbel McDougall Member
Darren McDougall Member
Peta Shore Member
Michelle Shore, Member

Alumni edit

Alumni of D'Faces of Youth Arts include performer and playwright, Laura Desmond[52][53] and dancer and choreographer, Dan Daw.[54]

References edit

  1. ^ "D'faces of youth arts Inc. | SAcommunity - Connecting Up Australia". sacommunity.org. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  2. ^ "D'faces". Whyalla Youth Advisory Committee. 19 November 2016. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  3. ^ a b "21st birthday". 25 August 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  4. ^ "Funded Companies". carclew.com.au. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  5. ^ "About". 10 February 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Shoot Me Now (August 1998 - August 1998) [Event Description]". 1998. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ "RealTime Arts - Magazine - issue 34 - Beautiful People, D-Faces of Youth Arts". www.realtimearts.net. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  8. ^ "D'Faces of Youth Arts - Projects". 14 April 2004. Archived from the original on 14 April 2004. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  9. ^ "D'Faces of Youth Arts - Artists". 8 March 2005. Archived from the original on 8 March 2005. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  10. ^ Open arms by Bryan Martin : [theatre program], 2005, Whyalla High School Hall, d'faces of the youth arts. 2005.
  11. ^ a b LEWIS, BRYN (24 July 2014). "Deb's the face behind D'faces". Whyalla News. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  12. ^ Limitations : [poster], 2006, retrieved 29 April 2018
  13. ^ "Artists Not Aliens". Screen Australia.
  14. ^ City of Whyalla Annual Report 2008-2009 (PDF). Whyalla, South Australia: City of Whyalla. 2009. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  15. ^ "People's Puppet Project | Snuff Puppets". snuffpuppets.com. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  16. ^ "Come Out 09" (PDF). Plane Talking: 1. May 2009.
  17. ^ "Erin Hall | Snuff Puppets". snuffpuppets.com. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  18. ^ "Artists | Team Categories | Snuff Puppets". snuffpuppets.com. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
  19. ^ "ThrowbackThursday #5". Whyalla News. 18 February 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  20. ^ "Why Not check out some amazing art". Whyalla News. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  21. ^ "Contact Us". D'faces. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  22. ^ LEWIS, BRYN (9 October 2014). "Roll up, roll up!". Whyalla News. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  23. ^ Davis, Kirsty (30 September 2014). "More than just a clown". Whyalla News. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  24. ^ BRUCE, KAYLEIGH (8 December 2014). "A historical first workshop". Whyalla News. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  25. ^ LEWIS, BRYN (23 September 2014). "D'faces gets behind the art of recycling". Whyalla News. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  26. ^ "D'faces shows its Whyalla pride". Whyalla News. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  27. ^ BRUCE, KAYLEIGH (31 March 2015). "Regions in spotlight for awards". Whyalla News. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  28. ^ LEWIS, BRYN (28 September 2015). "RiskIt park's fresh look". Whyalla News. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  29. ^ BRUCE, KAYLEIGH (11 March 2015). "Another fantastic Fishy Fringe". Whyalla News. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  30. ^ "Stormfront Productions". www.stormfrontproductions.info. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  31. ^ "D'faces | About Time: South Australia's History Festival". webarchive.nla.gov.au. Archived from the original on 2 June 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  32. ^ "Twisted Fairytales a new take on the classics". Whyalla News. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  33. ^ "Running through the rainbow". Whyalla News. 20 April 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  34. ^ "Community's true colours | PHOTOS". Whyalla News. 19 April 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  35. ^ "McRitchie Park fun day". Whyalla News. 15 February 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  36. ^ "Fun in McRitchie Park". Whyalla News. 16 February 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  37. ^ "Community heart". Whyalla News. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  38. ^ Mayfield, Louis (28 September 2016). "Kids Matter at Long Street". Whyalla News. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  39. ^ Griffiths, Luke (12 April 2017). "More Fringe fun when you least expected it". The Advertiser. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  40. ^ "Local talent spotlight". Whyalla News. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  41. ^ Mayfield, Louis (17 April 2017). "Community enjoy uneARTh Festival | PHOTOS". Whyalla News. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  42. ^ Mayfield, Louis (8 November 2017). "D'faces charity boost". Whyalla News. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  43. ^ "In The Mix with DJ TR!P - Workshop at D'faces - Whyalla - 30x30". 30x30. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  44. ^ Mayfield, Louis (27 November 2017). "A pageant to remember | PHOTOS". Whyalla News. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  45. ^ MP, Rowan Ramsey. "D'faces of Youth Arts to benefit from Stronger Communities Grant > Rowan Ramsey MP". rowanramsey.com.au. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  46. ^ "Whyalla's very own film festival". City of Whyalla. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  47. ^ Mayfield, Louis (28 March 2018). "Local entertainment for uneARTh Festival". Whyalla News. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  48. ^ "Alien installation invasion in Whyalla". Whyalla News. 19 October 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  49. ^ Mayfield, Louis (20 April 2018). "Vigil lights up night". Whyalla News. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  50. ^ "michal isabella hughes". michal isabella hughes. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  51. ^ "Sam Wannan". Sam Wannan. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  52. ^ "Laura brings her top show home". Whyalla News. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  53. ^ Mayfield, Louis (1 June 2017). "What is socially (un)acceptable?". Whyalla News. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  54. ^ "It's important for me to make work that I want audiences to see rather than making work that audiences want to see: Interview with Dan Daw – Access 2 Arts". access2arts.org.au. Retrieved 29 April 2018.