Esperance Sculpture Trail

Listening, Learning and Connecting

The first stage of the Esperance Sculpture Trail project has been a powerful journey of listening, learning, and community connection. Co-designed by FORM and local representatives, the engagement process created an open, respectful space for all voices to be heard.

Over 12 months, it became a meaningful platform to surface issues, while fostering trust, dialogue, and collaboration across the community.

While this was a consultation for a prospective public art project, this process has laid important groundwork for a more connected Esperance—where stories are shared, voices are valued, and change begins through conversation.

Subject to further funding and guided by the project’s original vision, FORM will lead the next phase of the Esperance Sculpture Trail.

A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to this project so far!

What did we learn?

“What I have appreciated with the Esperance Sculpture Trail process has been the opportunity our community has been given to understand and to give feedback and opinions on the (potential) project. The FORM team has taken 12 months to get to know our community and what makes it tick. They have been on the ground in town getting to understand Esperance and building relationships with all the different parts of our community along the way. I feel this thoughtful communication process put the project in a great position to have a fantastic community-led outcome.” - Shane Tobin (Steering Committee Member)

Esperance Sculpture Trail Cultural & Creative Forum

The forum started with networking over morning tea before diving into a talk from Michael Deller (FORM's Senior Cultural Tourism Specialist). Michael discussed the Esperance Sculpture Trail Project, community engagement findings, and the transformative power of regenerative cultural tourism. The group then explored the complexities of Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) in-depth during a comprehensive workshop led by Laura Melrose, Senior Solicitor from Terri Janke and Company, featuring real-world examples, practical strategies for protecting ICIP, and the legal vs. best practice requirements for engaging with Traditional Owners. The day was a unique blend of knowledge-sharing and community connection all wrapped up with a cultural walking tour by Dabungool Cultural Experiences.

Tell Us What You Think

Thank you for being part of the Discovery Phase of the Esperance Sculpture Trail journey. Over the past year, we’ve connected with the community through an artist residency, workshops, pop-up events, forums, and interviews, supported by a dedicated online engagement hub. These have helped us gain valuable insight into the hopes, perspectives and dreams of Esperance locals. As this phase wraps up, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the journey so far and what the future could hold for a world-class sculpture trail in Esperance.

Take the Survey

Esperance Sculpture Trail: Cultural & Creative Forum

9:00AM - 5:00PM | 21 February 2025

Join us at The Cannery Arts Centre for the Esperance Sculpture Trail Cultural and Creative Forum on Friday, 21 February 2025, and immerse yourself in essential conversations shaping the future of art and tourism in Western Australia and beyond.

Presented by FORM Building a State of Creativity, this FREE event is designed for creatives, cultural practitioners, and anyone interested in learning about cultural tourism and Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP).

Kickstart the day with networking over morning tea before diving into a talk from Michael Deller (FORM's Senior Cultural Tourism Specialist). Michael will discuss the Esperance Sculpture Trail project, findings from community consultation, and the transformative power of cultural tourism. Then, explore the complexities of ICIP in-depth during a comprehensive workshop led by Terri Janke and Company, a 100% Indigenous owned and run law firm that empowers clients to achieve success in business and innovation. Experience a unique blend of knowledge-sharing and community connection as we wrap up with a cultural walking tour by Dabungool Cultural Experiences and an informal sundowner at a local venue.

Spaces are strictly limited!

Secure your free ticket now and be part of a vital discussion on shaping Esperance’s cultural future.

Community consultation for the Esperance Sculpture Trail is supported by the Mt Burdett Foundation and Lotterywest. This Cultural and Creative Forum has also been supported by the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission.

Schedule

☕9:00AM - Arrival, networking and morning tea

🖋️ 9:30AM - Presentation | The Esperance Sculpture Trail Project & Cultural/Regenerative Tourism by Michael Deller (FORM Building a State of Creativity)
🖋️10:30AM - Presentation | Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) by Laura Melrose

🥪 11:00AM - Lunch catered by Bread Local

🖋️ 12:00PM - Workshop | ICIP with Laura Melrose including copyright, case studies in public art, storytelling in place (truth telling and placemaking), practical strategies for ICIP protection throughout a project, what are the requirement by law vs. best practice, engaging with Traditional Owners and Corporations regarding ICIP

☕ Time TBC - Afternoon Tea provided
🚶‍♀️4:30PM - Walking Tour | Dabungool Cultural Experiences from the Cannery to sundowner location

REGISTER HERE

Join our upcoming workshop!

From Hobby to Pro: Taking the Next Steps in Your Artistic Career

3:00PM - 6:00PM | 16 November 2024

Please join us at Esperance Community Arts for this workshop, which is designed to be a crash course in how to take the next step in your creative career.

Facilitated by FORM Building a State of Creativity's Strategic Creative Learning Manager Laura Motherway, and Senior Cultural Tourism Specialist Michael Deller, this workshop is an outcome of our consultation for the Esperance Sculpture Trail, responding to the arts community's request for further skills development and capacity building.

Schedule

🖋️ Welcome and Introduction

🖋️ The Nuts and Bolts of Starting a Small Business presented by Michael Deller

☕Afternoon Tea

🖋️ Your Brand, Your Story presented by Laura Motherway

🎤 Q&A Panel Discussion
💬 Informal Networking

This event is FREE but registration is essential as space is limited.

REGISTER HERE!

THE SPEAKERS

Laura Motherway

Laura is the Strategic Creative Learning Manager at FORM Building a State of Creativity, overseeing FORM Creative Learning initiatives Scribblers and Creative Schools. Laura is also a published author, writer and poet. She grew up in Kalgoorlie Boulder and for as long as she can remember, has loved telling stories.  

A Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) graduate, Laura studied Theatre Arts, and has worked as a singer, improviser, actor and director. She is an advocate for the Western Australian cultural sector and for the wider adoption of creative learning pedagogical approaches to education. Laura has over 20 years’ experience managing and delivering programs in paediatric hospitals and the arts sector.

Laura’s recent picture book The Brightest Christmas Star (Hachette Australia) was inspired by her own children and her insatiable love for Christmas.

Michael Deller

Michael Deller is a Senior Cultural Tourism Specialist at not-for-profit arts and cultural organisation FORM Building a State of Creativity. He loves showcasing the stories of artists, communities, and regional areas alike through creativity, storytelling and tourism. Michael is currently leading community engagement for a potential Sculpture Trail in Esperance.

Prior to joining FORM, he has over 12 years hands-on experience working in the Western Australian tourism sector throughout the state including Perth, the South-West, Coral Coast, Pilbara, the West and East Kimberley, as well as a stint in the Red Centre in Alice Springs and Uluru.

With a background as an owner of multiple small businesses, he brings a practical approach to helping communities celebrate and share their stories in impactful ways.

Art Wander with Stu McMillan

8:00am - 9:00am | 7 November 2024

Come for a casual stroll with Esperance Sculpture Trail artist-in-residence Stu McMillan and chat about some of the amazing art around the Esperance foreshore. From sculpture, murals and gathering spaces, celebrate these beautiful creations and discuss how art in the public domain can enhance towns and share stories for years to come. Meet at Cindy Poole and Jason Wooldridge's The Whale Tail on the Esplanade.

Everyone is welcome to attend this free event, but registration is essential.

REGISTER HERE!

Introducing the Esperance Sculpture Trail Artist-in-Residence

We're excited to introduce you to Stuart McMillan, who will be taking up residence at the Cannery Arts Centre from 20 October - 8 November 2024, as part of the Esperance Sculpture Trail project.

Stu is a multidisciplinary artist based amongst the forests, bushland, caves, waterways and coastline of Wadandi Boodja - the Margaret River Region, which he’s called home for more than 20 years. Translating his experience of the world using a diverse sensory pallet including and not limited to sculpture, photography, painting, print media, drawing and immersive installation, Stu continues to explore concepts of the human condition, interested in how the external world influences the internal being, within a myriad of habitats.

As part of his residency, which includes working with the community to explore the theme of 'The Spirit of Esperance Kepa Kurl’, Stu is taking part in a fantastic public program of free events you can get involved in.

This artist residency is part of pre-project community consultation for the Esperance Sculpture Trail project and has been coordinated alongside FORM Building A State of Creativity. FORM is leading Community Consultation for the Esperance Sculpture Trail, which is supported by the Mt Burdett foundation and Lotterywest.

Artist Talk: Artist-in-Residence Introduction
3:00PM - 5:00PM | 20 October 2024

Please join us in the Art Room at the Cannery Arts Centre to find out more about Stu's creative practice and what he will be doing as part of his Esperance Sculpture Trail residency.
This event is FREE, registrations are encouraged. REGISTER HERE!

Artist Talk & Workshop: Drawing with Stu McMillan
6:00PM - 8:00PM | 23 October 2024

Dive into Stu's artistic practice in this talk and Q&A at Esperance Community Arts. He will then provide further insight into his work as he guides you through a drawing workshop, followed by an opportunity to network, connect and meet fellow attendees.

This workshop is FREE, but registration is essential. REGISTER HERE!

Workshop: Wild Nature Mono-Printing
5:00PM - 7:00PM | 25 October 2024

Join Stu at the Cannery Arts Centre in exploring mono-printing using nature as inspiration. Experiment and play with different natural found materials, using ink plates and paper to create your own unique artwork. Looking at landscape and environment, understand the relationship of vastness (horizons and ranges) to the macro worlds of pattern and connection (flora, mycelium, geology etc ) that exist around the area. How can we capture the flora, rocks, soil, sea, and waterways using tools and experimental methods? All materials are provided. For ages 16 years and older.

Free to attend, registrations are essential as space is limited. REGISTER HERE!

Workshop: Drawing-Breath & Mark Making
5:00PM - 7:00PM | 1 November 2024

Draw with Stu at the Cannery Arts Centre using naturally foraged materials and visualising environmental elements - a way to see what nature can offer in terms of inspiration, connection and creation. Making tools and using traditional drawing methods, you will take a deeper look at nature. How can a breath be a mark on a page? Or a gust of wind be a mark in the sand? Explore what mark-making is and how it's embedded in many cultural histories from charcoal to pigment inks. Make a quill pen, charcoal sticks & drawing implements. All materials are provided. For ages 16 years and older.

Free to attend, registrations are essential as space is limited. REGISTER HERE!

Artist Talk: Artist-in-Residence Wrap-Up
5:00PM - 7:00PM | 8 November 2024

Learn about the Esperance Sculpture Trail artist-in-residence Stuart McMillan's time here in Esperance, his work with the community, and a summary of his findings.

Free to attend, registrations encouraged. REGISTER HERE!

CONVERGE 2024

FORM is delighted to be taking part in the Esperance Chamber of Commerce & Industry's upcoming Converge Esperance conference alongside keynote speakers Steven Bradbury, Aaron Morey, Neil O'Sullivan, Jenn Donovan, Annabelle Hender, Ray Achemedei and Tim Connoley. FORM Senior Cultural Tourism Specialist Michael Deller will speak about the power and value of using art to share stories and connect communities.

FIND OUT MORE HERE!

In 2019, the Mount Burdett Foundation was established by Chris Reichstein, owner of Mount Burdett Farm, with a vision to create a vibrant, resilient Esperance community. Before his passing in 2021, Chris had a vision “to create a world class sculpture trail of high quality, unique installations that respond to the dramatic land and seascape of Esperance.” Through his legacy and the support of the Mount Burdett Foundation, not-for-profit arts and cultural organisation FORM Building a State of Creativity is partnering with the project Steering Committee to test this vision with the Esperance community, listen, and collaborate on an outcome that takes this vision as a starting point, and meets community needs and aspirations.

As we journey through the community consultation and engagement phase of the Esperance Sculpture Trail, we're excited to share the first of what will be monthly updates on the progress of the project and how you can get involved.

Community Hub is LIVE!

Our online community hub is now live! We'd love to hear any feedback you may have regarding the Esperance Sculpture Trail. Find out more about project here, complete our online survey, and share your ideas and stories on our digital brainstorm board.

Say Hello to Michael at the Ag Show!

Heading to the Esperance Agricultural Show, 18 - 19 October 2024? Stop by FORM's booth and meet FORM Senior Cultural Tourism Specialist Michael Deller, who is leading community engagement on the Esperance Sculpture Trail. Michael will be available both days to chat about the project, listen to your stories and answer any questions you may have.