[Sydney, June 2017] Nestled in the National Centre for Creative Learning at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) is a new and enriching contemporary art installation, featuring 600 soft sculptural good luck charms. Room of Lucky Charms (2017) is a multi-sensory work created by Melbourne-based artist Kate Beynon for the sixth annual Bella Room Commission.

As part of the MCA’s Bella Program, the commission is pivotal to the museum’s commitment to access. In 2016, the over 2,500 people of all ages with disability or access requirements experienced the Bella Room Commission, by artist Kathy Temin.

Bella Program Coordinator, Susannah Thorne said: ‘Our ethos is that art is for everyone. We’re thrilled to work with Kate Beynon, on a commission that will help us empower people of all abilities through contemporary art and the Bella Program.

Visitors can engage with the work by selecting, placing and rearranging the soft sculpture symbols to create patterns, messages and their own associations of meaning.

Image: Kate Beynon, Room of Lucky Charms, 2017, commissioned by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia for the Jackson Bella Room, 2017, image courtesy the artist, Sutton Gallery, Melbourne and Milani Gallery, Brisbane and © the artist, photograph: Jacquie Manning

MCA UNVEILS ‘ROOM OF LUCKY CHARMS’ BY KATE BEYNON– Engaging people with disability or access requirements

MEDIA CONTACTS Claire Johnson / Myriam Conrie T 02 9245 2417 / 2434 M 0429 572 869E claire.johnson@mca.com.auE myriam.conrie@mca.com.au

For the artist herself, the work comes from a very personal perspective—a childhood immersed in lucky symbols from Chinese and Welsh culture. Her maternal grandmother gifted her charm bracelets and carved jade pendants featuring lucky characters and signs. Artist Kate Beynon said: ‘I’ve always been drawn to positive imagery such as Chinese ‘happiness bats’, ‘endless’ and Celtic knot designs on furniture, objects and textiles in our family home.’

The Bella program was established in 1993 through the generosity of MCA patrons, Dr Edward Jackson AM and Mrs Cynthia Jackson AM, and the Jackson family, in memory of their late daughter and sister Belinda.

Today the core Bella Program is delivered by the MCA’s Artist Educators and provides enriching and inspiring programs which increase confidence, self-esteem and achievement for children and young people with specific needs aged between 5-18 years, whilst the Bella Plus Program has been developed for adults. Once a month, the Bella Plus Connect Program invites adults, their families and support providers to explore contemporary art in a fun and participant led creative environment. A recent initiative – Bella Extension – offers an additional tailored support to people with disability or access requirements to any of the MCA’s programs.

Previous Bella Room Commissions include: Kathy Temin, The Koala Room (2016), David Capra, Teena’s Bathtime (2015), Brown Council, Performance Art (2014), Hiromi Tango, Dance (2013) and Emily Floyd, The Garden (2012).

Visitors to the Museum can visit the room in various ways throughout the year by attending a Bella program, or by experiencing Artplay, a creative play session for children aged 5 and under and their families. For more information, visit www.mca.com.au

MCA UNVEILS ‘ROOM OF LUCKY CHARMS’ BY KATE BEYNON– Engaging people with disability or access requirements

Images: Kate Beynon, Room of Lucky Charms, 2017, commissioned by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia for the Jackson Bella Room, 2017, image courtesy the artist, Sutton Gallery, Melbourne and Milani Gallery, Brisbane and © the artist, photograph: Jacquie Manning

MEDIA CONTACTS Claire Johnson / Myriam Conrie T 02 9245 2417 / 2434 M 0429 572 869E claire.johnson@mca.com.auE myriam.conrie@mca.com.au

– FOR ADULTS Bella Plus Connect First Monday of the month, 3 Jul, 7 Aug, 4 Sep, 9 Oct (due to Labour Day), 6 Nov and 4 Dec (11.30am–1pm, bookings essential) This is a monthly community program for individuals or groups with disability or access requirements. At each session there are a variety of art-making and professional development activities plus a visit to the Bella Room.

Bella in the House Mondays 10 Jul, 28 Aug, 18 Sep, 16 Oct, 13 Nov and 11 Dec (3 hours, bookings essential) A combined MCA and Sydney Opera House outing for adults with disability or access requirements.

– FOR KIDS & FAMILIES Artplay Wed 28 Jun, 19-26 Jul, 2-9-16-23-30 Aug and 6-13-20 Sep (10am–12noon, drop-in, $5 donation per family) A regular creative play session for all children aged 5 and under and their families. Each session there’s a story, singsongs and time to spend immersed in the Bella Room.

– FOR TEACHERS & SUPPORT PROVIDERS Engaging Students with Disability Forum In partnership with the Sydney Opera House Fri 18 – Sat 19 Aug (9am–5pm, bookings essential) A two-day forum to discover new strategies, take part in discussion panels and hear from guest speakers on how to embed creative learning in the classroom.

Bookings can be made via the MCA website, contacting MCA Learning on +61 2 9245 2400 or via the National Relay Service.

MCA UNVEILS ‘ROOM OF LUCKY CHARMS’ BY KATE BEYNON– Engaging people with disability or access requirements

Left: Artplay, featured work: Kate Beynon, Room of Lucky Charms, 2017, commissioned by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia for the Jackson Bella Room, 2017, image courtesy the artist, Sutton Gallery, Melbourne and Milani Gallery, Brisbane and © the artist, photograph: Jacquie Manning

Right: Bella Program, Museum of Contemporary Australia, photograph: Daniel Boud