Local Artist Spotlight: Carole Patullo
Published on 04 November 2020
Ms Patullo is excitedly looking forward to creating a solo theatre performance capturing and celebrating some of Frankston’s ‘ordinary champions’ thanks to an Artist Project Grant of up to $4000 from Frankston City Council.
The show will feature interwoven monologues, possibly linked to a specific time in Frankston.
“It’s a huge morale boost at this time when the arts has been so devastated. I’m extremely grateful and excited,” she said of receiving the grant.
On creating and delivering her new project, Ms Patullo said: “I’m looking forward to meeting people, hearing their stories, creating something original and performing it for them.”
Ms Patullo drew motivation for her new show partly from a fascination with people.
“It goes with the territory of being an actor. Most people, seemingly ordinary people, have captivating stories held within them – intimate, funny and deeply human,” she said.
“They’re often remarkably resourceful and distinctly positive in the face of adversity and disadvantage. That inspires me.”
Ms Patullo’s most recent performance was Broken River, at La Mama Courthouse 2019. Her film and television credits include Lake Mungo, My Year without Sex, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Tomorrow Tonight and the internationally award winning short film, Serving Joy.
She described theatre as her “first love”, adding: “In a response to this time of social and physical isolation, it is what I have longed for - connecting with an audience in a physical space, sharing the performance experience together in real-time.”
Frankston Council has significantly expanded its Community and Business Grants program this year to support up to 16 artists and creatives.
This was a result of the $6.434 million Relief and Recovery Package, which the council created to help Frankston City recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The arts grants are designed to help artists and those working in creative industries to pursue their passion while delivering culturally important work to the community.
They included Artist Project Grants each up to $4000 for eight artists to develop new works that can be presented online, on location or at a venue when restrictions allow.
There were also a further eight Creative Industries Professional Development Grants, each up to $2500, to support artists via further training, career development activities, mentorships and workshops.
Arts grant recipients must complete their projects by June, 2021.