Sharing truth through art at Expressions Festival

by Bonnie Collings
West Gippsland's finest young talent took over the West Gippsland Arts Centre last Thursday for the Expressions Festival.
Through art, music, theatre, dance and film, young creatives aged 12 to 25 responded to this year's festival theme, "The World Needs Who You Were Meant to Be."

The arts centre foyer was adorned with beautiful individual art works and a large installation called "Character Strengths" which was created during an Expression Festival workshop facilitated by Jo Draisma and Lexi Turner. Young musicians performed to the crowd of attendees in an open mic style set up before the on-stage performances began.
Addressing the audience before the first act, WGAC venue operations co-ordinator Kellie Phillips introduced the young producers - AJ Glaister, Charlee Dawson, Edihin McCaffery, George Pergl-Tormai, Paige Fallon and Sienna Bucknall - who have been working behind the scenes since March to organise the festival.
"It's been my absolute privilege this year to mentor the young producers who have put on this year's Expressions Festival," Kellie said.
"Tonight we come together to celebrate the incredible talents of young artists from all across Baw Baw. This evening is all about showcasing the creativity, their vision, and the unique perspectives that these young minds bring to our community and to the world."
Young producer Sienna explained the history of the Expressions Festival.
"The Expressions Festival, proudly run by the West Gippsland Arts Centre, was originally a series of live theatrical performances delivered in partnership with local high schools," she said.
"For over 10 years, students performed original plays on the main stage that sparked many creative passions, and for some, it was the beginning of a professional career. Due to the arts centre's redevelopment in 2017 and then the COVID pandemic, the Expressions Festival went on hiatus. But then in 2024, the West Gippsland Arts Centre proudly brought the festival back, refreshed, reimagined and designed as a platform for young creatives to show their work across all art forms."
The festival was free to attend, but audience members were encouraged to make a donation to the young producers' charity of choice, the Corey Maric Youth Support Foundation.
"This foundation is truly making a difference in the lives of young people in our community," young producer Eidhin said. "Corey's favourite times were through his involvement in school musicals, dance concerts and drumming performances, so it's fitting that we would be promoting mental health and well-being through art."
Corey's parents Kate and Zvonko Maric expressed their gratitude to the young producers and emphasised the important role art played in mental health.
"Expressive art can be a great way to connect with others, and it can help us externalise what we're feeling inside, which can sometimes be really hard to put into words," Kate said.
"When we create, we're not only participating in something beautiful, we're being vulnerable, brave, and often an inspiration to others. So, keep creating, keep connecting, and keep showing up as the unique and valued you."
The on-stage portion of the festival consisted of two acts and included performances from the Warragul Municipal Training Band, BE Performing Arts dance and drama groups, vocal performances from Eve Barake, Mataya Scott, George Pergl-Tormai, Regi Brown and AJ Glaister, spoken word read by Omara Kruegner and instrumental acts by Ethan Smith and Inara Wilhelms. Young filmmakers Sean Cowen and Jacob Pain also had their short films screened as part of the festival.