Jayne Wilson exhibition - 'answers' in art
Jayne Wilson exhibition - 'answers' in art
23 January 2023
The Jayne Wilson art exhibition featured artist, Melanie Lever, and MC for the official opening, Major Topher Holland (Area Officer for NSW/ACT - South Coast), with one of Melanie's paintings. Photos: Gerard Clancy
Art has been at the centre of Melanie Lever’s life for as long as she can remember. Now, for the artist and school teacher, it is a vehicle for not just her own expression but one she gifts to the young people she teaches and supports on their own creative journey.
“I pretty much grew up in an art store,” Melanie says. “The smell, the papers and paints, the colours of all the materials on the shelves. That was it; I was hooked. Art has always been my passion, and I always knew it was going to be my profession.
“I really enjoy helping others to discover their artistic talents and interests, so I completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts and then a Diploma of Education to become a high school visual arts teacher. Teaching is the most rewarding job.”
People viewing the works at the official opening of the Jayne Wilson Memorial Arts Competition and Exhibition at Wollongong Salvos on Thursday.
Melanie was chosen by the Wollongong Salvos First Floor Program team to be the featured artist in this year’s Jayne Wilson Memorial Arts Competition and Exhibition, an exhibition held in honour of the late Jayne Wilson. The theme for this year’s exhibition was ‘Answers’.
Jayne, who in 1996 established The Salvation Army First Floor Program in Wollongong, a counselling and support service for families impacted by substance use, mental health issues and suicide, passed away on Christmas day 2013 from cancer.
To celebrate Jayne’s service to the local community, the annual art competition and exhibition was established in her honour, now in its ninth year.
Melanie said she was honoured to be chosen as the featured artist, reviving her links with the Salvos. “It is exciting. I really appreciate the opportunity to be part of such an inclusive exhibition in memory of Jayne Wilson, who inspired so many to pursue their creativity and helped them find themselves through their art.
“From a Moonbeam to a Sunbeam to working with the First Floor program in the space of art therapy and wellbeing for young people ... I have a long relationship and respect for everything that the Salvation Army does for the community,” she says. “I have experienced first-hand the meaning of leadership and service and looking out for others, and I appreciate the efforts of the Salvos to make the world a better place and to help those in need.”
Honouring a legacy
Members of the Wilson family at the official opening.
“We wanted to involve the community in honouring Jayne’s legacy,” says First Floor Program Team Leader Marilyn Dunn. “Jayne was an artist, and because of this, art is still a big part of our support groups and programs, so this was a way we could combine these elements and celebrate her passion for family, recovery and hospitality.”
The exhibition, which receives entries from all over Australia, is organised in conjunction with the Wilson family, who judge the winning competition entry in the Wilson Family Award – for the work which best represents Jayne. A theme is chosen each year from a collection of words, which were offered by those that knew her to describe Jayne and the role she had played in people’s lives.
“Melanie was an obvious choice for feature artist because of her passion for art, education and supporting local young people,” Marilyn said.
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Open Category winner Sam Van (right).
The First Floor Program and Melanie’s connection began in 2017 when she invited the Salvos team to facilitate their eight-week program, Express Yourself, with a group of young people in her school. The program uses art to explore self-identity, strengths and emotional expression to help promote emotional wellbeing.
“Art can be an escape,” Melanie says. “It is a way of reconnecting with your thoughts and feelings when the world gets crazy. I think we all need a creative outlet, one that lets you remember what makes you happy.
“Standing in the studio or in front of the easel is like an adventure. You don’t always know what will happen, and things don’t always turn out as you have planned. It is the working through this process that gives me answers.”
Winners of various categories were also announced at the opening:
Open: Sam Van
Youth: Rosalie Van
Children: Ezekial, Maria and Zachariah Bubb.
The People’s Choice award will be announced in the Sunday morning service at Wollongong on 29 January.
The theme for next year’s exhibition, ‘Wholesome’, was also selected.
The Jayne Wilson Memorial Arts Competition and Exhibition is open daily (except Sundays) 10am-3pm at The Salvation Army Wollongong Corps until 30 January.
The late Jayne Wilson, who established The Salvation Army First Floor Program in Wollongong, a counselling and support service for families impacted by substance use, mental health issues and suicide. An artist herself, she incorporated art into the program. Photo: Shairon Paterson
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