MEDIA RELEASE

Postcards from Parramatta graphic design project

Released 28 November 2002

Information and Cultural Exchange
PO Box 4033 Parramatta NSW 2124 Australia
T: +61(2) 9897 5744 / F: +61(2) 9897 5766

Switch: Caught in an Artist Web

Local artists will have the opportunity to promote their work on the Internet and also learn how to design a web page during free workshops to be held in the Con-Temporary Arts Centre’s Digital Arts Space (the temporary Switch Space), Parramatta on Saturday the 7th and 14th December.
Parramatta Council has recognised the importance of providing access to this technology to residents within the area and their support for programs such as these is incredibly important, “Parramatta Council’s investment in this space is reaping many benefits,” said the Lord Mayor, Councillor Paul Garrard.

Cr, Paul Garrard is no stranger to the benefits of training people in digital arts. He has previously taught Graphic Prepress at the Sydney Institute of Technology for 22 years.

Many artists are already using the computers in the space to develop their digital skills. “We have had artists who came into the centre who were petrified of computers but who leave feeling confident and enthused,” said Parramatta-Holroyd Computer Access Network (PCAN) Coordinator Matthew Davids who has been instrumental in developing the Digital Arts Space (also known as the temporary Switch space). Davids will also be one of the course trainers.

“We anticipate that some artists who participate will go on to do further training in web design and this often results in greater employment opportunities, for local artists” said Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) Executive Officer Lena Nahlous. “The web is a very affordable way for artists to promote their wrk, and to increase exposure, and employment opportunities and also individual sales of their work.”

Other courses running simultaneously from this space include the youth digital music training program: ‘Sub-urban Grooves’. The centre is also open from Wednesday through Saturday for general access for artists. The space is run by volunteers and the computers within the space are all donated. “The success of the temporary Switch Space has been a result of our strong volunteer program. We continue to encourage volunteers to participate and welcome any donations,” said Ms Nahlous.

This centre has piloted Switch, which will open early next year in Granville. “Switch aims to provide access to digital arts for communities who would not normally have this access,” says Ms Nahlous. “Switch will initially focus on developing its music training programs and this hip hop pilot program will eventually be developed further and run in the permanent switch space which will open early next year.” A scaled down version of Switch is currently being managed by ICE in partnership with Parramatta-Holroyd Computer Access Centre (PCAN) as part of Parramatta Council’s Railway Arts centre.

Please note that photos can be viewed at http://www.cat.org.au/pcan/pr/.
For more information or to register for the free course contact Lena at ICE on 9683 2173 (ext 3) or email.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: LENA NAHLOUS: 0416 020 384