The write stuff
An amazing line-up of Canberra writers are joining forces with the Soldier On program for a new initiative which aims to encourage community building through creativity.
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Purple Ink is a 10-month program where Defence Force veterans and their families will develop skills across a diverse range of genres with regular workshops.
![Canberra writers, from left, Jack Heath, Sulari Gentill, Che Baker, Melinda Smith, Nigel Featherstone, Cate Whittle and Robyn Cadwallader and veteran Sheree Martin, back row, second from left, will partner up for Purple Ink. Photo: Dion Georgopoulos Canberra writers, from left, Jack Heath, Sulari Gentill, Che Baker, Melinda Smith, Nigel Featherstone, Cate Whittle and Robyn Cadwallader and veteran Sheree Martin, back row, second from left, will partner up for Purple Ink. Photo: Dion Georgopoulos](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/82928b8c-335f-42e6-923d-e56f9f8c5de6/r0_0_2000_1330_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Writers involved include Che Baker, Melinda Smith, Chris Sheedy, Ian McHugh, Nigel Featherstone, Cate Whittle, Robyn Cadwallader, Karen Middleton, Sulari Gentill and Jack Heath.
The ACT Writers Centre has drawn on some great home-grown talent to facilitate the workshops.
![Can you help identify anyone from the casting books of the 1930s? Photo: NFSA Can you help identify anyone from the casting books of the 1930s? Photo: NFSA](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/3e35c04e-4b67-4dfc-8fc7-7e032c9f9eca/r0_0_813_1080_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"It is a privilege to see this unique program realised in the ACT," says ACT Writers Centre director Sarah Mason.
"The Purple Ink program focuses on writing as a tool for community building and healing. It is a practical expression of the positive power of writing and the arts across every part of our community."
Soldier On's mission is to work side by side with those who serve and protect Australia, and their families, with the aim of helping individuals build resilience and create, and expand, meaningful connections.
Can you help?
The National Film and Sound Archive needs your help to identify dozens of aspiring actors depicted in rare film casting books from the 1930s – which have been preserved and digitised as part of the Starstruck: Australian Movie Portraits exhibition.
After being contacted recently by the family of Diana du Cane – an actress featured in the books who went on to star in films such as The Broken Melody – the NFSA is seeking to learn more about the lives of all the other young actors too. Did they go on to pursue a career on camera? Did they go on to achieve great things in other fields?
These casting books were produced by film company Cinesound. It was founded in 1931 by Stuart Doyle and Ken G Hall, hoping to make popular Australian feature films and foster a Hollywood-style star system in Australia. Seeing this as their big break, hundreds of hopefuls submitted their photos and bios for consideration.
Many of the glamorous (and not so glamorous) photographs include comments from Cinesound's casting directors. Women's figures are categorised as "good" or "excellent", with some highlighted for being "clever" or "very clever". A number of wannabe performers list driving as special skills, and a few women were even described as potential "ingénues".
A selection from the casting books can be viewed here, with an original volume of the exquisite scrapbook on display at the National Portrait Gallery as part of the Starstruck: Australian Movie Portraits exhibition until March 4.
In the detail
Micro-Worlds explores the nuances and intricacies of microscopic forms, often removed from their original context.
Elaine Camlin uses printmaking as a means of documenting objects, moving away from realistic or identifiable forms to create a suite of new objects that map the discovery of an unknown world. Influenced by personal moments, memories and reflections, the images are largely based on emotional and intuitive responses to objects familiar and present in her immediate environment.
At Form Studio and Gallery, Queanbeyan, until March 18. There's an artist talk on Sunday March 11 at 2pm.
![Anne Stroud, Photo: Anne Stroud Anne Stroud, Photo: Anne Stroud](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/2c2378b0-46b5-43b9-b098-004e63f2d3f2/r0_0_1200_553_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Natural perspective
PhotoAccess presents two new exhibitions in the Huw Davies Gallery exploring unique perspectives of places, spaces and natural elements: The View From Here and Horizons - Earth and Water by Marie Lund.
The View From Here, the first PhotoAccess members exhibition for 2018, invited 35 members to look through their viewfinder to creatively explore unique perspectives of the places and spaces they encountered.
Horizons - Earth and Water is an exhibition of unique sun prints juxtaposed against digitally produced abstract micro landscapes by established NSW-based artist Marie Lund. Each sun print is a constructed image using found natural objects, collected and arranged on silver-gelatine coated paper and exposed outside in the sun, wind and rain. Lund's digital works closely examine natural elements.
At PhotoAccess, Griffith, until March 25. Artist talk with Marie Lund on Sunday March 25 at 2pm. All welcome.
All about women
You don't need to be at the Sydney Opera House on March 4 to experience the main stage action of All About Women. Canberra Theatre Centre is excited to be streaming live two of the headline sessions direct from the Sydney Opera House, coupled with a live panel. The All About Women satellite program invites you to reflect on the past and imagine the future of feminism.
From 1pm there's a streamed session entitled Grabbing Back: Women in the age of Trump led by Fran Lebowitz.
At 2.30pm there's a streamed session of #metoo: the making of a movement led by Tarana Burke and Tracey Spicer.
From 4-5pm the Canberra live panel takes over discussing The Gender Agenda: Mobilising the movement. The Canberra panel features Jane Caro, Genevieve Jacobs and Virginia Haussegger, among others.