Launch of Youth Ambassador Program – Indigenous Artist Bilyara

Launch of Youth Ambassador Program – Indigenous Artist Bilyara

We are excited to launch of our new Youth Ambassador program with the announcement of our first Youth Ambassador, Alicia Bilyara Finlay Bennett, a young Sydney based indigenous artist. Bilyara will be engaging with young people through our arts and infrastructure programs in 2021, using art and creativity combined with sports based projects to create a range of unique cultural artworks. These projects will include a backboard art project in urban and remote communities, designs for use across our tournament and program gear, and more… Bilyara will work across Indigenous and culturally diverse groups throughout the year ahead and we cant wait to show you some of the exciting projects as they come to life!

 

 

The Youth Ambassador program is a new initiative for 2021 to identify passionate young people who are up and coming athletes, artists, and all round achievers committed to making an impact for the young people we work with. The Youth Ambassador program will connect young people in our programs to a range of Youth Ambassadors to inspire positive change and support our social impact programs.

 

 

ABOUT BILYARA

Alicia Bilyara Finlay Bennett (known as “Ali or Bilyara”) is a Sydney based indigenous artist who works mainly using earth pigments and acrylic polymer. Bilyara utilises her knowledge of barkindji {grandmother country) language and Dreamtime then connects with her life experiences away and on country interpreting stories into art form pieces. Bilyara is the daughter of late renowned indigenous painter and emu egg carver Richard “crunchy” Bennett {Nuddii) and Artist Amanda Farquharson whom studied her masters at COFA, Bilyara is also the granddaughter of renowned still life painter late Constance Farquharson, Indigenous grandparents Isobel Bennett and Fredrick Joseph Bennett deceased members of the stolen generation. Though Bilyara hasn’t formally studied the arts, she has been mentored and inspired by her artist families culture and history with her art speaking for itself, inheriting the ability to present works with playful depth to a broad audience. Bilyara is currently working from her home studio in Paddington, Sydney taking on private commissions and working on exclusive collections of which she donates half to communities in need. Bilyara manages her time between full time parenting, part time work and painting exceptionally and aspires to become a full time artist/ mentor within the next three to six months. Bilyara plans to work closely with indigenous communities and the youth to give back as much as she can to the communities that inspire and support her.

 

Bilyara Artwork= Nguulltji

Nguulltji meaning “wash” in Barkindji, A story of coming together after the great Aoods, the journey of transformation as we watch the desert turn from red to green and the river from brown to blue. Acrylic polymer on canvas.

 

ABOUT CHARITY BOUNCE

Charity Bounce is a not for profit organisation that exists to build resiliency and positive job futures for young people at -risk (12-24), using innovation through basketball to create ‘out of reach’ opportunities that inspire and motivate change. With a focus on Indigenous and culturally diverse communities, including newly arrived refugees, we aim to move young people toward a more positive future through the development of sports, education and employment focused social programs. The programs are delivered in partnership with sporting organisations, engaging professional athletes alongside our youth workers to motivate and inspire our participants.