Bermagui resident Matthew Perry has received the prestigious Churchill Fellowship for 2008. The fellowship provides a world travel study grant available to 120 Australians who are judged to be in a position to positively impact Australian communities and their culture.
Matthew started and currently coordinates The Art in the Garage project which is part of Tulgeen Group’s Access Service. For 8 years the project has worked from a small garage converted into a studio which is located in Bega. The project currently supports 24 people with a disability in their art making and employs local practicing artists as educators. Artworks created in the project have been seen at sixteen acclaimed exhibitions in Bega and many other regions. Matthew is also a mentor and advisor to other emerging arts projects in Eurobodalla, Cooma, Wagga Wagga, Sydney and Canberra.
The fellowship study will take him to 5 different countries to look at the most innovative visual arts projects and practice. The Art in the Garage project is currently in the first stages of building three new studios on the same site as the original garage/studio. The new studios will be set in a garden space that will show case the art works created in the project. The knowledge Matthew gains in this world study will be embraced in the project. The new art making environment will be one of the most innovative art making facilities for people with a disability in Australia.
