By Nikita Almond

As a wise Madagascar lemur once said “We like to move it!” and the youth attending this months art2264 really proved it. With hip hop dance classes a familiar dance style, young people engaged in numbers not seen in previous art2264s. The Irish dance classes, led by Marieclaire de Whit-Beekmans and her assistant Jaye Monkley, pushed participants to try a style they may not have come across before.

The passionate Marieclaire de Whit-Beekmans started the ‘Irish Dance Academy – Voyage of Irish Dance’ to share both her love and knowledge of Irish dance with others. It has grown to encompass areas of both Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast. Marieclaire spoke highly of the fifteen participants in her art2264 class. “The kids energy was really good, they loved the skipping and the group dances.”

Marieclaire believes that anyone can give Irish dancing a go, regardless of age or skill level. “The fun of Irish dancing is clear, it’s not boring, it’s energetic and has a very big social aspect” she said.

Jaye Monkley who has been teaching with Marieclaire since 2009 saw the participants respond positively to the new activity, “Trying new and different things made them curious – it is good to be exposed to a different experience” Jaye said. Jaye believes the reason Irish dancing has such a positive social aspect, and is easily enjoyed by many, is because of the  “different personalities mixing together, and because you don’t have to be super skilled, it’s about fun”

As a resident of the area for ten years, Marieclaire can see how the Morisset PCYC facility is what the community has needed for a long time,  “I’m glad the PCYC is here” she said.

Another person who can see the PCYC’s positive impact is Lynette Bawl, as the current caterer for art2264 Lyn has seen how the facility is greatly impacting the community. “It’s been a pleasure to work with good people, on a great community project and I am very happy to be a part this fantastic idea.” Lyn has also noticed how her own daughter is making friends through the facility and engaging in new activities.

Lyn’s catering company ‘Busy Baking’is based out of Bonnells Bay. She said that she uses real food to get real taste, and that you can expect home made flavours and quality time put into her catering. Lyn prides herself on hand making not mass-producing her food items and not using any preservatives. When eggs are used they are always free range “You have to look after the chickens you know” Lyn jokes. And the biggest reason for the great tasting food? “The secret ingredient to all my food is a big pinch of love!” Lyn beams.

With the smell of paint lingering in the air, this month’s murals put the art into art2264. Manga and cartoon style paintings are decorated with bright graphic colours and patterned backgrounds, which results in bright, bold and brilliant paintings. While barefoot youths wearing aprons adorned with paint splashes fill in the larger spaces, their parents carefully paint the more meticulous areas. The collaboration allows the paintings to be finished to a high standard and gives everyone a chance to participate.

The paintings are themed to either show various hip-hop dancers or teddy bears doing different sports.  Some standouts include a painting with a boxing teddy and a weightlifting teddy, which seemed particularly popular with the younger kids. The other popular choice was of a hip-hop girl with a polka dot background, which seemed more appealing to teenagers and adults. There were many more paintings either near completion or getting ready to be started, all designed by local youth artist Lillian Webb. The paintings were framed and will hang on the high walls in the entrance corner in the PCYC facility.

Without the helpers the paintings could not have reached the level they did in such a short amount of time. 14-year-old Angel Seiver art assistant helped out by directing children to create wonderful results, mostly supervising 4 and 5 year-olds. “They work pretty well and cooperate well with each other” Angel said. She has seen how the youths are interacting and says how it has been a positive experience. “The mixture of ages is a good thing, and it’s been really good actually helping out” she said.

Meanwhile artist Margrete Erling directs the art projects, offering advice to the young painters “you have to be slow and do a good job with the painting.” Margrete wants the paintings to be finished to a high standard so that everyone can enjoy them once they are displayed in the PCYC. She said that it will create a lounge room type feel, which will bring even more comfort and community to the facility.

As well as primary and high school students and their families, art2264 has attracted some extremely young art enthusiasts. Two toddlers marvelled at the pebbles on the mosaic project, communicating to each other with delighted squeals, while others pull ceiling high nets away to form a larger play area. Everyone looks at home in the space, whether they have a ball or a paintbrush in hand. Another successful art2264 completed.

A circus theme again came to the art2264 arena with music fitting of a big top preparing participants for some outlandish fun.  Circus tricks and techniques were provided by the Blue Mountain’s Arcade Circus; the flamboyantly dressed Miss Tilly led participants through the various activities, including hoop work, juggling (which is a lot harder than it looks!) and dazzling circus skills. Children flocked to her, fun exuding from her head to toe pink clothing, with Afro and tutu to boot. 


“The kids were great, they loved spinning plates, hooping hoops, and just having some fun.” Miss Tilly said, adding, “Circus gives room for everyone, regardless of age or ability; anyone can give it a go and have some fun,”

The youth’s enjoyment of the circus activities were summed up by Miss Tilly: “The look of surprise and sheer delight on their faces when they realise they can spin a plate.”

Art activities featured at the entrance to the facility with twomosaics now finished and ready for installation on the PCYC amenity doors. The mosaics, and upcoming mural, were designed by 16-year-old local Lillian Webb. Lillian is looking forward to starting a new TAFE course and said that designing the various artworks for the PCYC facility have helped her understand the practical aspects of the art world, and has boosted her confidence. “It’s nice to be a bit less selfish. It gives me a great feeling and a better sense of what it is like to do art professionally”.

Another art project is the large Morisset PCYC sign, which is painted so well it looks like a printed banner. The painting has come along quickly with many grown-ups lending a hand to get it done.

A break was called as Lynette Ball of Busy Baking served home-style mini sausage rolls, and mini vegetarian rolls as well as tiny cupcakes – much to the delight of one young girl who shouted “Cakes!” before rushing to grab one. Once the food was demolished, everyone once again returned to their activities.

In the Drama workshop run by the resident theatre teacher Andrew McDonell, there was a smaller group than at previous art2264s, but this allowed for more participation between those playing, which this time included some older youths.

In a game designed to test concentration and agility, the youths were instructed to “Face each other and bow” as a sign of respect. Participants have a scarf hanging out the back of their clothing and the object of the game is to get the opponent’s scarf. This led to what looked like flamenco dancing as the youths moved in patterns to avoid losing their scarf but still trying to snatch the others. There were cries of “Shake your tail feather!” as they move around the space.

One girl shook her tail feather and lost the scarf before the game even began which resulted in fits of laughter from the group. “Make a fool of yourself, you’ll love it!” Andy says teasingly to two reluctant members of the group. Once he convinces them to play, he makes it a little more serious by getting them to wear black dress hats. “It’s very serious, no smiles.” Andy jokes.

The next game is about status. “In acting if you know whether you are high or low status you will know exactly what role to play” Andy said. Participants play out a scene, where person A is high status and person B is low status. For example in a principal’s office, the principle gets the high status and the student the lower.

Andy gives them guidance along the way but mostly allows them to do what they feel fits the role; this gives the youths a chance to expand on their improvisation skills. He then gives them a script to read, which at first gives way to giggles as everyone tries to act serious. However as they got the hang of it, the more serious they became and it was evident how far their acting skills had developed.

One of the main things that has resulted through the continued attendance of participants in art2264 is the sense of community and fun. Each month new friends are made and recently made ones are reconnected. Young people and their families are building their skills and trying things they normally wouldn’t get a chance to do. Miss Tilly summed it up by saying “The locals are really great and supportive!” The effect art2264 and the Morisset PCYC has had on the local community is clear for all to see, and it will only grow from here. Another successful afternoon of workshops will be held next month, from 4pm on Friday 17th February.