Mackay City Centre catches festival fever with artistic trail of shopfront displays

Local artists and Mackay City Centre businesses have brought the City Centre to life through creating an artistic trail of shopfront displays.

The popular community arts project, Artstreet, is now in its third year and is currently on show until July 24 as part of the 2011 Mackay Region Festival of Arts.

Over 20 businesses and more than 25 local artists got involved in this year’s project proving one of the most involved trails and toughest to judge.

Community Services and Facilities portfolio councillor Karen May, who, along with Festival and Events Producer David Gerrand, judged the trail, said that this year was an extremely impressive one.

“In a twist from previous Artstreet events, we felt it necessary to award not only a first prize for best creative display, but to also include two special commendations,” Cr May said.

Judges were keen to take into account not only the aesthetic value and concept of the finished Artstreet installations, but enjoyed that some artists and businesses really nurtured the partnership aspect of the project.

Local artists Rosemary Payne and Wanda Bennett collaborated with NewsXpress in Victoria Street to create the winner of the 2011 Artstreet shopfront display.

Cr May said the interactive installation which lights up at night, reflects the festival’s theme of Light and Water, and also invites locals to come into the store and participate by adding to the installation.

Highly commended was awarded to Ryan Bunker and I.D. Dezine, and commended went to Tristan Kane and Lighting Network Mackay for their shopfront displays.

Locals and visitors to the region are encouraged to take a walk down Artstreet by picking up a map from Artspace or any participating businesses showing the trail of shopfront display locations throughout the Mackay City Centre.

Along the trail, choose your favourite display and cast your vote for People’s Choice Award. To participate simply fill out one of the voting slips and place into a voting box inside any of the participating businesses or Artspace Mackay.

Votes will be tallied and the People’s Choice Winner will be announced after the close of the 2011 Mackay Region Festival of Arts

To find out more information and which businesses are involved, visit www.artspacemackay.com.au for the full list.

Contact: Mackay Regional Council

Phone: 1300 MACKAY (1300 622 529)