What public art would you like for our coast?
by Liz Sawrey, Friends of the Gallery, Cooloola Coast
Congratulations to Gympie Regional Council for their initiative in introducing a consultation process for the Public Art Survey! What is “Public Art” you may ask? Well, our group learnt all about it recently at the public consultation workshop in Cooloola Cove.
The presentation was co-ordinated by Sandra Ross from The Gympie Regional Gallery, with an introduction from Glen Manning and Kathy Daly, who confidently took us through each step in this exciting process.
The purpose of the workshops held throughout the region was to educate and encourage the public, including artists, to consider the need for art works promoting their own community.
The enthusiasm at the meeting became palpable, with many ideas for a coastal landmark to unify all three coastal communities, coupled with hard-copy questionnaires to fill out.
You can still participate in the questionnaire at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WDT77V3 to provide your input.
The Coordinator left with many varied suggestions to be collated throughout the process for further discussion and input over the next few months.
If you would you like to see a sculpture or artwork erected in a public place, whatever the medium, which promotes our unique communities, you are invited to contribute your ideas.
This would be an enduring and practical sculpture limited by your imagination and outdoor suitability.
More information is available on www.gympie.qld.gov.au/gallery, and specific information generated by this process will be available soon, including the ‘Public Art Management Plan’.
The Life Art classes continue to be a success and also a great learning and development resource for local art enthusiasts. These classes continue to be held at 38 Marlin Way Tin Can Bay, fortnightly, on a Thursday night, from 6- 8pm, July 2, 16 and 30.
Five artists met at Crab Creek last month for the Plein Aire, which ended up as a long morning tea under the rotunda due to a bit of wind and some unpleasant showers.
Our next meeting for Plein Aire will be August 2 and the venue will change to the park near the library. Please advise us of your email address to keep well informed of all activities.
And finally, sadly, we are farewelling our long-time friend, coordinator and collaborator Shirley Wilson, who is “retiring again” to move closer to her family in Caloundra.
Many thanks Shirley for all your efforts in service to artists and their pursuits on the Cooloola Coast and we hope that you enjoy the move and come back and visit with us all from time to time.
Contact: Liz Sawrey for more information (lizsawrey@hotmail.com or phone 0439 683 690)
