Afalyca Art Centre and BHCAC
Box Hill Community Arts Centre has enjoyed an association with Afalyca Art Centre in Baucau, Timor-Leste since 2009.
Since its establishment in 2007, Afalyca has grown into a cooperative and democratic community-focused organisation. Students from Baucau study with visiting teachers and resident artists, and showcase paintings and drawings throughout Timor. Activities at the school have included bookbinding, mural works, photography, musical workshops, figure drawing, lino printing and creative dialogue sculpture.
A strong friendship and respect has grown between BHCAC and Afalyca. Students from Afalyca have presented exhibitions in the BHCAC gallery in 2010 and 2011 and participated in a collaborative exhibition in 2013 entitled The Water Project and the Mai Fali Eh Exhibition in 2017.
Mai Fali Eh – Womens Art Exhibition
Despite extremely limited funds, Afalyca continues to lead the way in Baucau to connect their community through art and music. Their dedication and vision form cross cultural collaborations with Australia and throughout Asia.
Mario (Marqy) Dorosario Mira Da Costa – Director Afalyca Art Centre, Baucau, Timor-Leste
BHCAC were very pleased to host Marqy whilst he undertook a 3 month internship at Box Hill Community Arts Centre from August, 2015. During this time he built on his skills and knowledge in managing a community art centre. The internship experience further empowered Marqy to work with the community in Timor-Leste. As an artist himself, Marqy is a fantastic advocate of the arts and his work reaches across many districts in Timor-Leste.
During the internship, Marqy assisted in negotiations regarding an exhibition of women’s artwork from the districts of Baucau and Ainaro, Timor-Leste to be displayed at BHCAC in November 2016 and in Ballarat in Jan/Feb 2017. Please click the link for more information on the Mai Fali Eh exhibition and events surrounding it.
Supporting Afalyca
Artists
Afalyca warmly welcomes visiting artists.
Afalyca students are very keen to learn new skills and these are passed on to the wider community through their workshops with local schools and organisations.
If you are an artist who would like to pass on your knowledge and would like an adventure, contact Afalyca or BHCAC.
Artists are required to pay for their own airfares and accommodation.
Visits to Afalyca
If you or your group would like to visit Afalyca advance warning would be appreciated. With advance notice: Accommodation with one of the members of Afalyca for groups up to 10 people can be arranged.
Donations to Afalyca
If you would like to donate art supplies to Afalyca you can do this by emailing and advise what the goods are, how much there is and when you intend to send it.
Rotary Australia’s Donation In Kind’ Program
Through Rotary Australia’s ‘Donation In Kind’ program, goods can be sent to Timor-Leste with relative ease. Contact Rotary ‘Donations in Kind’ Program. The containers are shipped from Footscray in Victoria and all goods need to be delivered there. There is a small fee and you will need to discuss with Afalyca who pays this fee. Please visit the website for more info www.rotarydik.org/
Waivers with Air North
Air North offer support to official accredited / recognised not-for-profit charities and non-government organisations (NGOs) who carry out legitimate humanitarian activities to assist the Timorese community.. You need to apply for this waiver and it can take up to five working days. Visit the Air North website for the appropriate forms and information www.airnorth.com.au/about-airnorth/ngo-travel
Website: afalyca.wordpress.com
Email: afalyca@gmail.com
Facebook: Afalyca Art Centre
Baucau Community Art Centre
