The first Swell Arts & Health Project is getting close to implementation. The Health Welcome Signs project at Moruya Hospital, Batemans Bay Hospital and Narooma Community Health Centre in the Eurobodalla will be completed in early 2018. Local Aboriginal artists Natalie Bateman, Cheryl Davison and the Katungal Aboriginal Medical Service Aboriginal Art Group (sample of their proposed work below) were selected to have their art works featured.
The project is also being rolled out in Snowy Monaro Regional Shire and Bega Valley Shire in early 2018. This project was made possible through generous community donations.
The project meets one of the objectives of the South East Arts; Arts & Health Strategy for Aboriginal Communities “to creatively transform health service spaces to embrace cultural healing needs and practices”, and create “places of welcome”.
The artworks will be combined with traditional local language words of welcome (e.g. “Walawaani” or "Giiyong") and incorporated into the architecture or landscape of the facilities, at the entrances. As well as the welcome signage, there will be a profile of the featured artist, a story about the artwork and information on the language being used.
