Artspace Mackay’s gallery walls are overflowing with local artwork

Over the next seven weeks Artspace Mackay will be overflowing with works of art including two exhibitions featuring over 500 local artists from five year olds to teenagers and adults including some senior members of the community.

The three exhibitions set to open tomorrow night (Friday, October 7) from 6pm are Alison Lester’s Kids Antarctic Project, Who am I? Self portraits by students of the Mackay Region and Subject Matters: Postcard exhibition.

Community Services and Facilities portfolio councillor Karen May said this is the largest amount of local work that has ever been on display at Artspace Mackay at one time.

“Although it’s always a privilege to host internationally renowned exhibitions, these next few weeks will be an honour and pleasure for the gallery in regards to being able to showcase the large amount of works from our very own talented community members.”

Both Who am I? Self portraits by students of the Mackay region and Alison Lester’s Kids Antarctic Project will be hung at children’s height, so the youngest visitors are sure to have the best view in the gallery.

Cr May said as these three are some of the last exhibitions to feature in the gallery for the year, it provides the perfect opportunity for families who may not have already visited Artspace to come along and check it all out.

“Staff envisages the gallery to be a real buzz of activity and one of the busiest times for the year with an influx of family members and friends coming to view the works.”

Who am I? Self Portraits by students of the Mackay region

Students of all ages from schools throughout the region have been exploring their creative side in readiness for Artspace Mackay’s, Who am I? Self portrait exhibition.

Twenty-one teachers from 13 schools across the region have been working with their students with self portrait as their theme, encouraging them to explore not only what they look like, but also how they think and feel, what interests them and what makes them special.

Subject Matters: Postcard Exhibition

Over 200 artists have produced a postcard on what matters to them for this Fundraising Exhibition with the entire collection of compact canvases going up for auction and sale.

The project initiated in 2009 by Artspace Mackay Foundation, and supported by the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, this hugely popular arts event combines a smorgasbord of talented Mackay, Queensland and interstate artists creating and donating compact canvas work on a subject that matters to them.

Our growing community of artists have jumped on board to lend their support to see this fundraising exhibition almost double in size from last year; patrons will have a large choice of
unique miniature work to choose from. Prices starting at $150 and all works will be for sale and auction on opening night (Oct 7), and for the duration of the exhibition.

From the funds raised, the Artspace Mackay Foundation will invest back into the Mackay region through a greater number of educational and community programs, workshops, exhibitions and cultural events, continuing to further support cultural life in our community.

Alison Lester’s Kids Antarctic Project

In 2005, Alison Lester travelled to the Antarctic as an Australian Antarctic Arts Fellow.

Thousands of children from schools all around the world were inspired, using her on-line diary and photographic journal to track her journey.

By keeping in touch with Alison, children followed her trip, leaving Tasmania on the ice breaker Aurora Australis, to travel to Mawson Station and to Casey Station on the Antarctic continent and sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island.

Alison encouraged the students to draw in response to her descriptions and photos and on her return how she was inundated with beautiful drawings of Antarctica as imagined by children.

Alison used these illustrations to complete this exhibition of work combining the children’s line drawings with her design and colour.

All three exhibitions will be on display from October 7 to November 26. For opening hours of Artspace Mackay visit www.artspacemackay.com.au.

Contact: Mackay Regional Council

Phone: 1300 MACKAY (1300 622 529)