Mount Gambier artist urges residents to continue honing skills

Mel Cecotti (2)  TBW Newsgroup
ARTISTIC TOUCH: Mount Gambier artist Mel Cecotti encourages those who have picked up a new skill or passion during COVID-19 to maintain it for their own benefit.

Mel Cecotti (2) TBW Newsgroup
ARTISTIC TOUCH: Mount Gambier artist Mel Cecotti encourages those who have picked up a new skill or passion during COVID-19 to maintain it for their own benefit.

Cultural melting pots across the Limestone Coast continue to emerge from COVID-19-imposed restrictions, with the region’s galleries, theatres and museums easing back into public operation.

While residents can now access these art spaces, which can now hold up to 80 people, one budding Mount Gambier artist is urging residents to continue to hone their own skills at home despite society’s return to more traditional measures.

Mel Cecotti has used lifestyle changes brought on by the pandemic to further explore her artistic side, encouraging others not to put down the paintbrush despite the continual easing of restrictions.

Producing expression art – focused on distorting reality to express feelings or ideas – Ms Cecotti said art remained a great way for people to express themselves in a healthy manner.

“I think in times like this it is really important for people to do any kind of art but I do think expression art would also be really good because we have never experienced anything like this before,” Ms Cecotti said.

“It is a way for things to be recorded and everyone can supply that whether it comes from a song or artwork, everyone can receive it in their own way which is really cool.”

Reflecting on the last three months, Ms Cecotti said the art industry had been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

“The Fringe Festival suffered a lot and I am usually really involved with that and know there is a lot of planning and people who look forward to it each year,” she said.

“But I do think that when one door shuts another opens and the virus had really given people the opportunity to get back in touch with their creative side and use what we do have to get their work across in new ways.”

Ms Cecotti also noted examples of Limestone Coast artists transforming items within their own homes into new art pieces.

“We need to see more recycling around the community and using things to make art is a great way to do that,” she said.

Highlighting the potential benefits of art, Ms Cecotti said she felt privileged to have used her skills to secure income, having completed several commissioned works.

“It can be difficult to get to that stage so I was very grateful for it,” she said.

“But it is about getting involved in the scene and keeping your eye out for anything that is available whether that be grants, competitions or anything like that.”