About this project

The Bridging the Gap project creates a space for artistic collaboration between myself and indigenous artists. This spring I will travel into the heart of the Australian outback to facilitate a ceramic workshop at the Ernabella Arts Center. Located in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, 275 miles southwest of Alice Springs, the center is a place for Anangu artists to promote their cultural heritage and improve their lifestyle through art making. During my month long trip I will offer my skills as a potter to aid the artists working at the center. 

While my primary interest in the project is one of service to this unique community, I am excited to learn the drawing style and patterns of the Anangu people. I am continually fascinated with aboriginal methods of story telling that rely on drawing, image making, and sound. The time I spend in the community will be a valuable contribution to my own evolution as an artist.

Why did I create a Kick Starter campaign?

The Ernabella Arts Center has offered to pay for my travel expenses and living arrangements but I believe this money could be better spent on other programs at the center. My goal for this campaign is to fully fund my participation in the project without adding any cost to the community. With your help I hope to raise $2500 for this purpose. Your contribution will enable me to provide the center one free month of skilled ceramic labor. Any money raised above this goal will go towards funding additional projects at the center.

Why donate to Bridging the Gap?

Your donation will fund creative activity at Australia's oldest aboriginal art center. From its beginning in 1948 Ernabella Arts has introduced high quality materials, facilities, and instruction to aboriginal artists. While this project focuses on ceramic art the center has a long tradition of weaving, basket making, painting, sculpture and other arts. At the center artists use these mediums to create art about their Tjukurpa (the eternal creation stories), Mai Putitja (bush food stories) and Anapalyaku Walka (Ernabella style). Your donation will not only encourage this culturally rich art practice but it will directly contribute to the community's financial well being. With over 90% unemployment art making is often the only source of income. The art work produced during the Bridging the Gap project will be sold in Alice Springs. By funding my participation in the project you will insure that 100% of the profits go to the aboriginal artists. For more information on the Ernabella Arts Center please visit http://www.ernabellaarts.com.au/

How will you be rewarded?

For your generosity you will be rewarded with your choice of art made during the project or with art made in my Carter Pottery studio. All contributors will receive a supporters package including a warm hand painted thank you card, project updates, and access to documentary videos. Additional rewards range from a photographic screen saver for your computer to hand made ceramic art. Please see the rewards section for more detailed information.

How else can you help this project? 

Spread the word by linking our Kick Starter campaign to your Facebook profile and Twitter feed. By telling your friends and family about this project you can help members of your own community support the artists in the Ernabella community. 

You can "Like" me on Facebook or "Follow" me on Twitter to receive the most current updates on the project. I will also regularly post updates and images to this Kick Starter profile so check back often. I'd love to hear from you with questions or comments. Feel free to email me at ben(at)carterpottery.com and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

For more information on my work please visit my website, www.carterpottery.com, or my blog about art, culture, and travel, www.carterpottery.blogspot.com.

I appreciate your help in making this project become a reality. Thank you for your support.