Guest blog

http://open.abc.net.au/openregions/qld-wide-bay-71AY7Fz/posts/my-girl-89ob0tk

Check out this link to my guest blog for ABC Open Wide bay.  It's about the Moreton Bay Art Awards presentation.

PS  Thankyou Edward B for your recent kind comments.  c

Moreton Bay Art Awards

This blog post was written as a guest blog for ABC Open Wide Bay  http://open.abc.net.au/openregions/qld-wide-bay-71AY7Fz/posts/my-girl-89ob0tk

I travelled to Strathpine last Friday for the official opening of the Moreton Bay Art Awards. It was a wonderful event. The theme for the night was 'black and white' and this added to the special feel of the whole occasion.

There was a real hum of excitement in the air.

Hundreds of entries had been submitted for the competion. The walls were covered with a vast array of works. People roamed through the exhibition, glass of wine in one hand, offering their opinions on the various works. Most finding something they liked amongst the offerings.

The work I had entered into the competition was a digital print of a girl seated and alone in a dark environment. Her body is covered with celestial patterns which transform her into a goddess-like figure.

From their small rostrum, decorated with black and white balloons, the Mayor and other speakers, introduced the business of the night.

The presentations were about to commence. An eery silence fell over the crowd.

Four commendations were given and a local artist was awarded her prize. The audience were most appreciative. .

I was very fortunate then, to have been awarded one of the two major awards. My artwork will also become part of the Moreton Bay Council collection.

I met with the judge Mr Ross Searle and had an interesting conversation with him about my artwork.

It is wonderful to have received this award. It confirms that people are connecting with my work. It builds confidence.

In a practical way, the award will help me to continue my art practice in these difficult economic times and for that I am most grateful.

Next on the agenda is Sydney in October. I can't wait!

                                          

VIP's

I went out to Catherine McCue's place this morning to pick up some digital  prints, one of which will go down for the Moreton Bay Art Awards.   I will mail it to a framer and have them deliver it to the Community center on the appropriate day.

It should be a very interesting exhibition.  Looking back on previous years exhibitions, they seem to get some very good works.   Being so close to Brisbane is helpful too I am sure.

It's rather exciting, because Bundaberg  Gallery is to have a visit from  Artsupport Australia 's Queensland Manager Fiona Maxwell, Australia Council for the Arts' Chief Executive Officer Kathy Keele and Artslink Queensland Chief Executive Officer Arthur Frame. Creative Regions have arranged this for Monday afternoon. 

This will be a good opportunity for us to voice our concerns about the many and varied problems of being regional artists, and to find out what sort of assistance is available to us.

One interstate gallery director years ago called me a 'GI'...Geographically Impossible!!!!   He did as much to help me as was possible, but it is very difficult to maintain connections living in the regions.

It is really encouraging to see these 'VIP's making the effort to  come into regional communities, something I haven't seen before in the 20 years plus that I have been in Bundaberg.

There are many very good artists in the Wide Bay region  working away quietly. It would be wonderful to see this recognised and to see some assistance coming their way.