Skills building, cultural access and creative empowerment for all young people.
Heaps Decent provides a participatory program of music and visual media activities, working with youth who are underrepresented and marginalised. Self-expression provides a pathway to discovery, personal growth and agency.Over the last few months, Heaps Decent facilitators Kristy and Merlo have been making a weekly early morning trip out to Campbelltown to create some music with the students at Lomandra Public School.
It’s all part of a project called Machine Atlas, an arts project run by Shopfront in which students are split up into 2 groups each week. The first group, (working with Shopfront) have been creating videos, imagery and art, while the second group (working with Heaps Decent) have been making raps, beats and all types of musical sound-scapes.
The progress from the first few weeks, of only a few people coming up with lyrics and ideas, to now everyone putting endless ideas on the table has been great. The 2 songs that have now been created feature solid raps from Jeremy, Ryan, Josh, Tabin, and even some crazy beat boxing skills from Liam!
Both groups will eventually come together for an event at Kogarah Town hall on August 25th where a public space will be transformed into a world where anything is possible.
Words & Photos: Kristy Lee