'Weld Echo' is a collaborative exhibition inspired by the Weld, an endangered valley in Southern Tasmania. 'Weld Echo' is an exhibition of both emerging and well-established artists' work, to be held at the Waterside Pavillion, Mawson's Place, Hobart, from the 2nd to the 8th of September, 2005.

Senator Bob Brown will officially open 'Weld Echo' on Friday 2nd September at 6pm. The exhibition will be running until the 8th Septemer, open 10am-5pm.

An auction of Weld Echo art pieces will be held on Sunday, 11th September above Sirens restaurant, Victoria St at 4.30pm. Artworks from the exhibition will be auctioned and special guests, Stiff Gins, will perform. The Weld Echo auction will raise much needed funds for the Weld Valley Campaign.

The valley of the Weld River remains one of the most diverse and least exploited native environments in Southern Tasmania. Its towering forests, deep gorges, gushing rivers, snowcapped mountains and wide plains represent on of the finest examples of pristine ecology in the state. Whilel the Lower Weld Valley has been consistently recognised as of World Heritage and National Estate Value, it remains unprotected and open to industrial forestry and mining operations.

'Weld Echo' aims to expose the natural beauties of the Weld Valley and allow a previously unaware audience to experience its magic through a variety of mediums and artistic impressions. The Weld Valley is now under immediate threat from logging. By creating a greater awareness of the destruction of this forest, this spectucular bioregion may have a greater chance at being recognised for protection. It is the forgotten forest in the recent Howard - Lennon forest 'protection' package.

Stiff Gins, consisting of Kaleena Briggs and Nardi Simpson, will be joining us for a benefit concert at the auction. Stiff Gins are, through harmony and song, reclaiming the derogatory term for Aboriginal women (gin), instead declaring its meaning as proud, passionate and talented. Their support for the Tasmania's Forests campaign has been outstanding with a recent donation of their song to Tal.loon.ne Compilation for Tasmania's Forests CD.

'Weld Echo' exhibition is being created by the Black Sassy Collective; a creative arm of the Huon Valley Environment Centre. The Collective focus on producing quality art exhibitions to provide local and grassroots artists with a support network and oppurtunity from which to gain exposure for their art.

The Black Sassy Collective has been taking artists on monthly trips to the Weld Valley forests since March for inspiration. Works for the exhibition range from photographs, paintings, textiles, weavings, sculptures and wood pieces. Prominent photographer Rob Blakers and artist Tim Burns will be showcased in the exhibition and are enthusiastic to be involved in this expression of the local natural environment.

Our vision for 'Weld Echo' is to bring the Weld Valley in to the city and expose people to its value and beauty.

- Black Sassy Collective.

blacksassycollective@hotmail.com
PO Box 217, Huonville, TAS, 7109.
0439 597 383