GALLERY | All things art at symposium

The symposium, led by master of ceremonies Alyce Fisher, began with a Welcome to Country by Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung artist Troy Firebrace.

Two keynote speakers, Vic McEwan and Scotia Monkivitch, delivered reflections on their experiences in recovery and the arts space.

Ms Monkivitch, executive officer at Creative Recovery Australia, drew on the important place arts has in the world, especially to overcome difficulty.

“I feel that after three years of working in the practice of community arts and cultural development, it’s probably one of the most challenging times for me to be practising,” she said.

“To be trying to advocate and trying to grow the evidence, but also highlight the true, vital need of culture and the arts in our lives.”

Unpacking the feeling of grief, she spoke about disaster being a form of grief for those experiencing it.

“I think grief is probably the penultimate [sic] of human emotions,” Ms Monkivitch said.

“And to me, when I think about disaster, I think about it as a grief.”

Along with keynote presentations, a range of leaders in their industries joined for panel discussions.

This included Swan Hill Art Gallery director Ian Tully, Shepparton Festival director Kristen Retallick, ACT Natimuk chair and musician D’Arcy Molan, and Ripple Fest Rochester Creative Co-Design group member Meg Sargent.

The Rochester Shire Hall then transformed for the Art Dinner, curated by Jamie Lewis, who also joined fellow art leaders at the symposium.