Working title: Made to Share
Theme: Food as culture

Proposal

The Made to Share menu:

Entrée: Local trader interviews

Meze: Public craft ‘share plates’ workshop

Main course: Mural installation

Dessert: Celebratory drop-in window art workshop

Made to Share views food and art as shared languages of connection. Through trader outreach, a community engagement workshop and the final public artwork, this project encourages locals to reflect on the importance of shared meals to them and their community, with a focus on the power of food to bring people together. Inspired by Oakleigh's strong food culture and multicultural identity, Made to Share is centred on the essence of community and how that manifests in the City of Monash.

Informed by local traders and community members, through its depiction of connection and sharing, the Made to Share feast invites people to consider the importance of inclusion to make our communities all the richer. Rather than representing a single culture, the mural deisgn will reflect the many individuals and groups that have contributed to Oakleigh's identity, acknowledging its strong Greek heritage alongside the Italian, Chinese, Korean and other cultures that are part of the community today. The resulting mural will be colourful, welcoming and accessible, with detail that rewards closer looking and reveal new discoveries for regular passersby. Most importantly, it will bring together different perspectives to foster a sense of belonging and share Oakleigh's identity from the community’s point of view!

Medium
Mural

Engaging local traders and community members
This ‘share plates’ style workshop facilitates collective art-making as a meal that welcomes exchange and collaboration. Participants will made their own visual contribution to the ‘meal’ by creating their favourite dish, ingredient or food-based tradition. This open public workshopencourages people from different walks of life to come together and create just for fun. Participants will be supported to immerse themselves in the process of making, with a range of materials, while enjoying lively discussion and good food. Together, we will pass ideas, circulate snacks and swap creative techniques across the table, reminiscent of a large family meal. This session will host a variety of fine art and craft mediums to suit individual interests, making it suitable for all abilities and levels of experience.

We will also visit and interview local traders to ask what they’d like to share with their local commmunity. This could include a recommendation for a favourite cafe, a recipe to try or an ingredient they associate with home.

We would also like to propose a drop-in window art workshop to celebrate the completion of the Oakleigh Art Trail, where Monash residents are invited to make their mark too! This would facilitate drawing with posca markers onto a local trader’s window, responding to the prompt of ‘What food feels like home?’

Respectful community collaboraions
Little Picture Window brings strong experience and capacity to deliver Made to Share. Over the past five years, we have created more than 300 contemporary public artworks, engaging diverse communities across Victoria and collaborating with multiple councils, traders’ associations, and small businesses.

We have delivered various workshops and activations for audiences including young families, children, young people, and people living with a disability. Our team includes skilled creative practitioners experienced in community engagement and facilitation. Sophie brings expertise in graphic design and longstanding experience working with children and young people, while Emma has a background supporting seniors and people living with disability, with skills across a range of fine art mediums. With our relevant knowlege and experience, we will support inclusive participation, ensuring activities are accessible and adapted for all participants.

Portfolio

Recent artwork

Recent community engagement projects

At our Table
A workshop series and workshop facilitation mentoring program facilitating food-themed art-making over three sessions.

This project includes a workshop for primary school students, young people living with a disability and seniors, with a range of materials and formats to suit each audience. Through a self-developed professional development program, Sophie and Emma are mentoring a young person living with a disability to build their skills and confidence through the delivery of these workshops.

Common Ground, Extraordinary People
A workshop and public art series for Melbourne Fringe Festival exploring everyday heroes through tiered participation options to support varied abilities.

Engaging local traders and community groups, this project celebrated local legends through craft, window art and participatory public art.

Proposed Timeline

17th October - trader outreach
24th October - public workshop
10th December - final design submitted
February - mural installation
March - celebratory drop-in window art workshop

Thank you for considering our application!

Emma and Sophie
Little Picture Window