The Schools Reconciliation Challenge travelling exhibition officially opens at Everglades House and Gardens in Leura on March 5.
The National Trust (NSW) has brought the exhibition back to Everglades with Blue Mountains students well-represented in the line-up of prize winners this year.
As Darug and Gundungurra country, schools in the Blue Mountains have participated in the NSW Reconciliation Council Schools Challenge for the last 10 years. Their participation has been enhanced by talented local Aboriginal artists conducting workshops in the schools. These workshops have been organised by Mountains Outreach Community Service and supported by volunteers from Blue Mountains People for Reconciliation.
The Schools Reconciliation Challenge is an annual event organised by Reconciliation NSW. The National Trust has partnered with Reconciliation NSW for years, providing heritage sites across the state in which the visual art, multimedia and written works can be displayed for the community to see.
In 2019, 415 art and writing works were submitted from across 340 schools in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Twenty of the works were awarded prizes, and are now on show as part of the travelling exhibition.
The exhibition opening will take place on March 5 from 2pm-4pm. People will have the chance to meet students from four local schools who have prize-winning work which explores the 2019 theme, Speaking and Listening from the Heart. Afternoon tea at the exhibition opening will be provided by members of Blue Mountains People for Reconciliation.
There is no charge to attend the opening event, but please register your attendance by phoning 4784 1938 or emailing everglades@nationaltrust.com.au.
For visitors to Everglades House and Gardens, entry to the exhibition is included as part of the garden ticket. Everglades is open Thursday to Monday, 10am-4pm (last entry 3pm). The exhibition will be on show to the public from Saturday, March 6 to Monday, March 29.
Everglades is a registered COVID-safe property.
