Colourathon: a colourful solution

Posted on 27 November, 2017

This week, why not colour for a good cause? Yes that’s right. Colour.

The Colourathon is an art event where everyday Canberrans, alongside young women from remote and rural areas of Australia, will participate in an art marathon, colouring-in for 12 hours straight to raise awareness and funds for family violence prevention. Think of it as a live art endurance event with the prize shared by all involved – supporting a worthy cause while taking some time for yourself.

Taking place this Thursday 30 November in the National Gallery of Australia’s Sculpture Garden Restaurant, 12-hours of colourful fun will kick off at 9 am with an introduction from 2016 Australian of the Year and domestic violence campaigner, Rosie Batty. From 4 pm, members of the public are encouraged to join in for some after school or post-work fun. Tapping into the colouring-in mindfulness movement, the day will include live music, weaving, mural-making, films, food, general good times and, of course, mass amounts of colouring-in.

So what’s the objective of all this creativity?

To drive a community-wide response to family violence and promote generational change. The initiative is run by Project O, self-described as “a prevention project providing young women to gain new skills, resilience and equipping them to drive attitudinal change in their community, challenge entrenched gender inequality and help prevent the normalisation of family violence.” However, while Project O’s main aim might be education, funds raised during The Colourathon will go towards women’s shelters right here in Canberra. Want to learn more about it? Click here for our interview with the National Director of Project O, Genevieve Dugard.

The Colourathon won’t just be in Canberra though. On Thursday there will also be concurrent events in Tasmania and New South Whales. Although this is the event’s first year the initiative has already raised over $16,000 – more than halfway to their $30,000 goal. But they still need your help to hit their target by donating a sum (great or small) towards each hour of colouring or by participating on the day.

I WANT TO COLOUR!

Great! Come on down to the National Gallery of Australia anytime between 4 pm and 7 pm this Thursday 30 November.

Not so great at colouring?

Never fear. Participants aren’t expected to produce masterpieces and to inspire you, around the Colourathon you’ll see new original artwork from local female artists Nadia Hernandez, George Rose and Elisa Carmichael as well as lots of helpful Project ) volunteers.

Want to get involved?

Head on down to the National Gallery this Thursday from 4 pm to participate, or donate to Project O online.

Wish you could run your own Colourathon at work?

You can! Colourathon for Corporate Partners Kits are available to help your business run your own colouring-in event and in doing so raise awareness and funds for Project O. Click here for more information.

the essentials

What: Colourathon 2017
When: Thursday 30 November. Members of the public are invited to join the young women from Project O to colour for change from 4-7pm
Where: The Sculpture Garden Restaurant, National Gallery of Australia, Parkes
More information: www.colourathon.com

HerCanberra is a proud media partner of Colourathon 2017