Visual Impact Sydney started on a high note today with a smoking ceremony and official welcome by the Gawura Cultural Immersions group at the entry to Halls 5 and 6 of the Sydney Showgrounds.
The group shared the rich heritage of First Nations People through the smoking ceremony – a cleansing ceremony that is a gesture of goodwill and bringing people together – before leading guests into the halls, where the song and dance performance continued.
The group’s owner and lead cultural facilitator Stuart McMinn is a cultural man from the Dharug and Gubbi Gubbi Nationals and has been professionally performing cultural dance and cultural education for more than 17 years.
“At Gawura Cultural Immersions, we aim to provide insights and immersion into the rich cultural heritage of First National People through song and dance, training, facilitation and education programs, and cultural awareness and wellbeing experiences,” he said.
“We look forward to sharing our culture, which has thrived for 120,000 years, and to welcoming visitors to Visual Impact in Sydney.”
Visual Impact’s organiser, Visual Connections, then opened the doors to the industry in attendance, revealing some 100 exhibits showcasing signage, display, wide-format print, engraving, textile printing and more.
Inside Visual Impact, visitors are able to see all the latest innovations in systems, equipment, software, media, consumables and services for the diverse and exciting sector.
Visual Connections event manager Charly Blades said, “Sydney is shaping up as one of the most comprehensive Visual Impact shows we have seen, featuring everything from printed and illuminated signage to wide-format print, LED lighting, 3D printing, textile and direct-to-garment printing, trophies, badges and promotional items, and much more.
“There will be a busy program of seminars and workshops, a Try-A-Trade program for students, channel lettering and photography workshops, a photo and fine art exhibition, plus the excitement of the ASGA/Hexis Wrap Challenge heats running daily…all under one roof in the Harbour City.”
