Creative Workshops
Melbourne’s Big Issue vendors, street soccer players and friends have had the opportunity to work on their writing skills in a series of workshops.
The workshops have been conducted by industry professionals, including acclaimed Melbourne writer and storyteller Arnold Zable; Alan Attwood, editor of The Big Issue; performance poet and writer alicia sometimes; and artist Jeanne Browne.
The workshops are intended to foster the natural inventiveness and originality that many of the vendors display in their daily life. Whether they represent Australia at the Homeless World Cup as a member of the Street Socceroos, stand on our street corners selling the magazine, busk for a living, or sing in the Choir of hard Knocks, our Big Issue vendors are arguably the highest profile marginalised group in Australia and this is an opportunity for them to be heard in their own right. Their poems and stories offer opportunities for critical reflection, a window to explore areas of social concern, and a chance to share their lives.
Participants had the opportunity to present their work at a performance at the Carlton Courthouse in June, as part of preparation for a performance during the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup in the Cultural Program.
Workshops will resume in September when as well as writing, screenprinting will be part of the program. Come back to this page for more details and contact information.
The program has also been generously supported by:
