Weaving Stories of Boodja

ABOUT US

Weaving Stories of Boodja is headed by artists Cara Ratajczak & Michelle Bretherton who host creative community projects that celebrate connection to nature and country, inspiring custodianship for generations to come.

"Our purpose is to strengthen our community's relationship and connection to Boodja in a creative and fun way. In finding a sense of place within the natural landscape, and nurturing curiosity, we aim to inspire the will to protect and preserve it for future generations."

We pride ourselves on the relationship we have built with Wardandi Custodians. We are honoured to be trusted to share their stories in creative and contemporary ways.

We acknowledge that it is their knowledge and culture, so we endeavour to leave the initial teaching of these things to them. Only with permission do we pass on knowledge.

We draw upon their teachings to inspire the creative work we do with the community.

To view OUR COMMITMENT TO RECONCILIATION please click on the link

Cowara Bird Story 2023

Performance and Community Event held on Saturday 18 November 2023.

Have you ever heard the Wardandi story of the Cowara bird? The purple crowned lorikeet. The bird the town of Cowaramup was named after.

COMING SOON! This story will be told and performed by local children. Weaving Stories of Boodja presents a contemporary movement adaptation of the story that will premiere at sunset at a free community event starting at 4pm on Saturday 18th November 2023 at the Amphitheatre at Pioneer Park, Cowaramup.

“The performance has stemmed from a series of Wednesday after school workshops and school holiday intensives with the children in Cowaramup and surrounds from Aug-Nov 2023. The children have engaged in the development of creative movement, created costumes/puppets, set design and sound for the performance.

This project has been a dynamic and exciting collaboration with Wardandi custodians, local artists, local businesses, the local school and the community.

We are extremely grateful to Dwardinan-Vivian Brockman Webb and Waljin- Mitchella Hutchins for their generosity and trust in sharing their story and for their cultural guidance with this project. We hope that you enjoy this memorable arts experience and join in nurturing a deep respect for Australian First Nations culture.”

Sincerely,
Cara Ratajczak & Michelle Bretherton
Cowara Bird Project Owners and Co-founders of Weaving Stories of Boodja

For more info:

Cowara Bird Story Event FAQs

Cowara Bird Project Contributing Artists

PAST WORKSHOPS & EVENTS 2023

Weaving Stories of Boodja Exhibition @ Arts Margaret River Gallery at The Heart

2 June 2023 – 10 August 2023

Opening Event Saturday 10 June 2023, 12-4pm in the Main Gallery

Heartbeats – Fri 10 Mar, 2023 @ 5-9pm at the Arts Margaret River Gallery at The Heart

Margaret River Readers And Writers Festival – Fri 12 & Sat 13 May, 2023 @ 12-2pm at the Arts Margaret River Gallery at The Heart (in the Mezzanine Gallery, First Floor)