Through Your Eyes – an art based workshop to explore the landscape during these uniquely challenging times
Several Art-based workshops were held over 2020 to help members of the rural community see the beauty in our environment through the tough times.
Community Participation - LP011-013
The issue
From 2017 – 2019 the drought conditions across the Riverina imposed not only a high financial toll on rural communities in the region, but it was also clear that there was a staggering emotional price to pay, as the land that so many families called home became barren and drier.
For many who lived and worked on farms, there was no escaping the emotional burden of the drought. It was all around and all-encompassing. It is tough on mental health when your home, workplace and often your family legacy are sources of emotional and financial strain.
The solution
The project aimed to address rural mental health on farms during the drought and encouraged participants to come together and create artworks of the landscapes around them. The workshop was made possible with funding from Riverina Local Land Services.
During this art workshop, participants were encouraged to explore various aspects of their state of wellbeing and mental health. Participants explored how they see and feel about the land around them. The importance of this project was to focus on seeing the beauty in our environment through the tough times.
The impact
During this project, over 25 participants engaged and explored the emotions they were experiencing towards the environment and their properties due to the challenging conditions being faced at the time. Through the use of art, the group expressed these emotions and found beauty within the landscapes.
The workshops were also a time for community members to come together and celebrate positive aspects of our region and bond with other members of the community.
Learnings
The main learning from this project is that community events often have flow on benefits to Landcare. Whilst this project focused on one specific need in the community, it was valuable in engaging new members to attend a Landcare event. Many of these participants then went on to join and become active members of their Landcare groups.
Key facts
- 25 participants in art workshops
- Understanding and recognising our own and others emotions during challenging times is an important skill.
- Reaching out to others in the community can be a rewarding encounter when experiencing challenges alone.