Gold Coast-based performing arts venue Home of the Arts (HOTA) is one of the numerous venues impacted by lockdowns imposed to prevent the needless spread of COVID-19 among the communities they serve. However, this is clearly not an organisation who will just sit back and let this shutdown impact them. In response to the closure, a “Rage Against the Virus” fund was announced, with the goal of “(stepping) up and (showing) solidarity with the creative community“.
This fund offered $1,000 in cash for projects that take up no longer than one week of an artists time to deliver. Flipping this period from being one of just quarantine, they hope this will serve as “an opportunity to develop an imperfect and unformed idea, or an idea that you have had formulating for some time. It is both creative development and presentation at speed. It is the chance to experiment with new forms, think outside the box, do things differently. Think of it as an incubator, developed and delivered from your home“.
Many creatives have taken up this opportunity to create content – with it just yesterday being announced that a further five artists will be creating work with their financial support – Erica Gray, Skye Jamieson, Lann Levinge, Rebecca Ross and Melissa Spratt. If you are a local artist who has an idea which could use the funding, visit the official HOTA website before 15 May 2020 to express your interest or otherwise see what has already been funded/created.
But if you are someone who is interested in just performances, you might want to tune into their selection of curated “RAGE ON(LINE) events over the coming weeks. Available through HOTA’s digital channels, you can get a small taste of what you might experience at HOTA, from the comfort of your computer screen or television. Interested in what’s available from today until Thursday 7 May 2020? Scroll down and find out!
Comedy Underground (Podcast)
While Comedy Underground is expected to be a staple on Friday nights at HOTA’s The Basement venue, with the venue currently closed, comedians Josh Armstrong and Dalton Whiskey are adapting their shows into short podcasts. These shows will feature the pair, along with some of the guest artists who would have otherwise been with them at the shows, making as many people laugh as possible.
From tonight until Friday 22 May 2020, you can enjoy weekly episodes every Friday at 5.00 pm.
ArtLab – Pet Portraits with Emily Dolphin
Official description from HOTA
My name is Emily Dolphin, and I’ve created a fun pet portrait tutorial that you can do at home using any art materials you can find around the house. If you don’t have a real pet, that’s ok, you can find a picture of your dream pet on the internet.
In my tutorial I’ll take you through the process of sketching your pet, and learning different techniques to help you create a portrait of your pet. We’ll also have fun trying different illustration styles, whilst playing with a range of drawing and painting techniques to create a unique pet portrait.
This tutorial is suitable for school aged children, and adults, and caters to all skill levels. You will need a lead pencil, coloured pencils, plain paper, and a picture of a pet. We’ll also use any art materials you have available, including, water colour paints, pens, and experiment with natural food dyes to make our own paint.
Tune into this ArtLab event live via the HOTA website on Wednesday 6 May 2020 at 10.00 am.
Dusty Rich – Art Class Online
Official description from HOTA
As well as being a wild, outrageous comedian, Dusty Rich does art – and now he’s teaching you to be like him!
Sign up for Dusty Rich’s Art Classes where he’ll be showing off his unique aesthetic and the processes behind the creation of traditional canvas work, digital prints, sculpture, custom shoes, face masks and furniture from start to finish.
Tune into Dusty Rich – Art Class live via the HOTA website on Thursday 7 May 2020 at 6.00pm.
The Farm’s safety tips for a new reality
Official description from HOTA
These short safety videos are to help us come to terms with our new reality of working from home and designed for a bit of comic release from the stresses involved.
Not to be taken lightly or seriously, The Farm will deliver three episodes on work/home safety tips about everything from the hazards of children to the emotional distance of social distance.
Tune into this broadcast live via the official HOTA website (or the above livestream video) on Sunday 3 May 2020 at 6.00pm.
