Boost for fashion art

A Roebourne art group has received a grant to help produce a new fashion line for clothing with local artwork. Yinjaa-Barni Art was awarded $14,755 by the City of Karratha to buy fabric for the Jina-Jina line, due to be showcased at the Darwin Art Fair’s Country to Couture show. YBAG manager Patricia Floyd began the project three years ago and said this year’s fashion show was in limbo due to COVID-19 restrictions. “We are still working on the garments. It looks like it will be OK, we’ve just got to get everything together now and get past this crisis,” she said. “Whatever the outcome, the range is going ahead. It will either get to Country to Couture or it will be online.” Ms Floyd said this year’s range had a “boho” theme and featured fabrics such as linen, jersey and cotton. “It’s another way of the artists getting exposure for their work and culture. It’s also a way of people becoming aware of the art centre and the art,” she said. The group was one of three organisations awarded grants by the City totalling close to $80,000, with the King Bay Game Fishing Club receiving $14,237 and the Norwest Jockey Club awarded $50,000. City of Karratha Mayor Peter Long said community and sporting groups were vital to the growth and liveability of the City and the grants reflected the council’s commitment to supporting them.