Community members and local artists have been tasked with adding their own creative touches to porcelain swans, for display in shop windows and elsewhere in our twin towns.
The novel project is part of the Queenscliffe Literature Festival (QLF), and in keeping with this year’s theme, encourages people to ‘take time to think’ a little differently.
“With swans already being part of our brand I thought how fabulous would it be to do something that would connect creativity and community as an installation and window displays, the same way that writing and reading and literature connects creativity and community,” said QLF committee member Collette Stewart.
“They’re called the QLF swans and they’re a mix of re-vamped and up-cycled swans and beautiful vintage originals.”
Collette purchased the swans, of all shapes and sizes, online. Residents and local artists were then invited to a Neighbourhood House up-cycling.
Among the participating artists is award-winning illustrator Anne Spudvilas, who used sketches from her own aptly-titled book, Swan Lake.
“I think one of the fascinating things about doing this is watching the different types of swans come back because each one is very individual,” said Collete. “Everyone has a different twist of creativity or just a different thought process. And that’s one of the most exciting things, watching that connection between creativity and community.