SEEd funding helps develop What the Stars Remember

Second Echo Ensemble was invited by Ten Days on the Island to pitch What the Stars Remember at the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals gathering. All the Major Festivals were there. Kelly Drummond Cawthon and Elise Romaszko reflect on the experience and their successful pitch to secure $10,000 in seed funding to develop the project.

Elise Romasko in Perth, Western Australia. Photo: Kelly Drummond Cawthon

Sometimes a project feels very big when it leaves the studio.

For the last few months we have been working on What the Stars Remember every Tuesday. Talking. Making. Testing ideas. Looking up at stars. Listening to sounds. Wondering what memories might be floating around us that we cannot see.

Then suddenly we were on a plane to Perth.

We travelled to the CAIAF gathering to share What the Stars Remember with major festivals from around Australia. It felt exciting and a little scary. We had never pitched something like this before.

Lots of people helped us get ready.

Laura Purcell’s beautiful photographs helped tell the story. Maggie May Jeffries’ drawings gave shape to ideas that are still emerging. Alex Moss created sound and visuals that wrapped around the presentation. Everyone in the studio helped build the script. Kelly delivered the pitch, and I shared a live meditation while Alex's images and sound drifted across the screen behind me.

We were nervous.

But people listened.

They asked thoughtful questions. They applauded. Afterwards people came looking for us in the lobby to keep talking. That felt special. It felt like the project had travelled beyond us and started having conversations of its own.

Elise Romaszko pitching What the Stars Remember at the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals gathering. Photo: Supplied.

While we were in Perth we also visited DADAA in Fremantle. Their spaces are incredible. Full of artists, activity and possibility. Walking through their studios made me dream about what might be possible one day for SEE in Lutruwita.

We joined workshops with DADAA artists, shared stories about our work, and talked about a podcast commission that will follow the development of What the Stars Remember. It felt good to spend time with people who understand that access is not an extra thing. It is where creativity begins.

We also saw some amazing work as part of Perth Festival. The opera completely blew my mind. Not just as professional development. As a human being. It reminded me how powerful it can be when artists dream big and invite others into that dream.

One of the nicest parts of the trip was catching up with Sophie, who used to work at SEE. It is always lovely to reconnect with people who have been part of our story.

It was only a few days.

But it felt like one of those moments where you realise the circle is getting bigger.

The stars are remembering. And so are we.

Elise Romaszko visits DADAA in Fremantle, WA. Photo: Kelly Drummond Cawthon

Second Echo Ensemble is proudly supported by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body; the Tasmanian Government through Arts Tasmania and our generous donors and volunteers. Our internet partner, Aussie Broadband, keeps us connected.

This project has received support from Clarence City Council, Performing Lines Tasmania and Ten Days on the Island Festival and the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals.