Blue Fringe Arts History
Blue Fringe History
The Blue Fringe Arts originated as the Adrienne Brown Awards in 1992,this was initiated by the Brown family and friends, creating the Adrienne Brown Memorial Trust by holding an annual arts exhibition in the Blue Mountains.
Adrienne Brown, born in 1969, was a young woman who suffered schizophrenia and the struggle with her illness was relieved at times from her agony with her love for poetry, the arts and music.
Sadly,the epic struggle was too much for her and she took her own life one misty morning in 1990.
Lois Denham, one of the local dedicated mental health workers of that time came up with the suggestion of forming a Trust for Adrienne.
Lois ran hard with the idea, performed much of the ground work and along with other volunteers and health workers and in consultation with Jan and Geoff Brown established the Adrienne Brown Awards.
From this sacrifice and the help of many dedicated partners and people emerged the yearly event of the Blue Fringe Festival.
Auspicing and Support
The Blue Fringe Arts Committee continues to be an example of community and health partnerships.
They include:
- Katoomba Neighbourhood Centre (auspicing organisation)
- Springwood Neighbourhood Centre
- Blue Mountains City Council
- Sydney West Area Mental Health Service
- P.R.A. Westclub Penrith
- Parramatta Leisure Club
- Central Mountains Rotary
- Braemar Community Gallery
- Blue Mountains Food Services
- RAMHI (Raising Awareness of Mental Health Issues-Interagency)
- The committed group of volunteers, consumers and carers.
- Varuna Writers Home
- NSW Schizophrenia Fellowship