media release_top australian artists announced in hop for hope_q [3]

 TOP AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS ANNOUNCED
TO LEAD THE HOP FOR HOPE
FORTY PAINTED KANGAROOS CREATE FAMILY FRIENDLY
OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHILDREN’S CHARITY
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 2015
HOP
FOR HOPE is a new charity project set to become the country’s largest family friendly art exhibition –
and all to raise funds to keep children safe from violence and bullying.
A collaboration between children’s charity The Alannah and Madeline Foundation and the Yarra Valley
Chocolaterie
& Ice Creamery, HOP FOR HOPE will see leading Australian artists together with
entrepreneurs, media personalities and sports stars transform life-sized kangaroo sculptures into unique
artworks inspired by the theme of hope.
Forty larger than life fibreglass kangaroos are now being painted, decorated and transformed ready for an
outdoor exhibition throughout September and October staged in the grounds of the Yarra Valley
Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery in Victoria’s picturesque Yarra Valley.
Visitors to the free exhibition will be invited to vote for their favourite work, while an online auction to own
a painted kangaroo is at the centre of the fundraising efforts. All proceeds will be for The Foundation,
which supports children who have experienced or witnessed violence and bullying.
Renowned painters David Bromley and Charles Billich; master potter Ted Secombe and cartoonist and
painter Michael Leunig are amongst some of the artists donating their talents to HOP FOR HOPE. Alannah
and Madeline Foundation founder Walter Mikac, Boost Juice director Janine Allis and sports personality
Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico will work with artists to create kangaroos of their own.
There will be kangaroos for all tastes with rising stars such as designer Beci Orpin, artists Rowena Martinich,
Madeleine Stamer and Stephen Baker painting roos, as well as the youngest in the pack, eight year-old
prodigy Aelita Andre adding creative flair to a kangaroo for the exhibition.
Kyal
and Kara Demmrich from “The Block” and “Renovation Rumble”, plus yarn-bombers from The Yarn
Corner will also add their personalities to a life-sized kangaroo.
“We are thrilled to have been invited to partner with the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery for this
exciting
campaign,” says Foundation CEO, Dr Judith Slocombe. “With such an acclaimed group of artists
and personalities, we cannot wait to see the finished creations together in the Yarra Valley.”
HOP FOR HOPE is the idea of Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery owners Ian & Leanne Neeland, and is
a major fundraising project that draws on their commitment to support the community.
“We have a beautiful destination that’s visited by tens of thousands of people of all ages, and we wanted to
harness
that into a good cause,” says Chocolaterie Managing Director, Leanne Neeland. “Our goal is to
create Australia’s largest family friendly art exhibition that places an inspiring spotlight on keeping our
children
safe.”
anticipated around 200, 000 visitors will view the exhibition amongst the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie’s 40
It’s
acres of landscaped grounds and farm land. The Hop for Hope exhibition will be free, with visitors
encouraged to vote for their favourite kangaroo by placing a gold coin in a beautifully crafted donation
box. A public online auction of the kangaroos will coincide with the exhibition and aims to raise in excess
of $400, 000.
“Each artist has donated their talent and time to support this vision,” adds Leanne. “We are extremely
grateful for this opportunity to spread the word of hope, create an uplifting event as well as raise money
for the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.”
Follow progress of artists, the exhibition and auction at www.hopforhope.com.au
#hopforhope The Hop for Hope exhibition opens on 1 September and runs to 1 November 2015. Media contacts: Susan Wright / Q Strategies
03.9415 9000 / 0421 007 200
[email protected]