Art centre manager bids farewell to Pormpuraaw

By SARAH MARTIN

AFTER more than a decade of guiding and supporting a group of award-winning artists, Paul Jakubowski has hung up his hat and retired as the manager of Pormpuraaw Art Centre.

What he expected to be a short-term role ended up in 14 years of community involvement that saw the remote town’s artists and art centre elevated to the international stage.

“When I went to Pormpuraaw I had no idea where I was going,” he said.

“I didn’t even know how to pronounce it.

“I never thought I was going to be there for 14 years, or almost 14 years – I’m one month shy!”

Mr Jakubowski grew up just outside New York City and is a professional artist by trade, with years of management, teaching and business under his belt.

When he arrived in the western Cape York community, he found a quiet art centre focused mainly on painting, with minimal sales.

One of the centre’s signature mediums are huge sculptures woven from abandoned fishing nets, called ghost nets, which were influenced by the centre manager.

“When I arrived we were making baskets and things like that with the ghost nets, so I made the first sculpture with a coat hanger as a frame; I made a dog and a crab,” Mr Jakubowski recalled.

“It just took off from there and we became very well-known for our ghost net work.”

Mr Jakubowski said he learned with Pormpuraaw’s arts community, absorbing everything he could.

“We also became very well known for our printing,” he said.

“I wasn’t a printer, but I am now – I’ve learned alongside them.”

Lakeland photo festivities

PHOTOGRAPHERS, both professional and amateur, will be putting their skills on show this Saturday at the fifth annual Lakeland Photo Competition.

One of the town’s most popular events, the annual competition draws hundreds of entrants from across the region and culminates in a community gathering with live music, a bar and hot food as winners are announced.

With more than $3000 in prizes across five categories, organiser Sam Simmonds said the event was expected to be big.

“It’s become quite a part of the community, the kids in Lakeland all talk about it all through the year and people look forward to it,” he said.

Everyone is welcome to the photo competition judging and display, on this Saturday from 4pm at the Lakeland Town Hall. Visit Lakeland Progress Association on Facebook for more information.

worth of sales, Mr Jakubowski was quick to put credit firmly where it’s due. “It’s not my legacy, it’s the artist’s legacy ... the Elders’,” he said.

“My wife says it’s the kind of job I was made for, but at the end of the day, it’s up to the artists and the community, it has to come from them, it can’t just come from outsiders.

“To me it’s a success and I’m amazed – when I went there 14 years ago I never thought we’d be having artwork in galleries in Europe and with collectors all over.”

He said the centre was literally and figuratively at the heart of the community.

“The art centre is located right in the middle of the community, the town centre is where everyone comes, everyone is welcome and it’s a real hub and meeting place,” he said.

WCC achievers recognised

WESTERN Cape College has performed strongly at this year’s Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in STEM Education.

Year 12 student Elsie Maher received an Outstanding Rural and Remote Senior STEM Student Award, while maths/ science teacher Bree Knipe received an Outstanding Rural and Remote Teacher of STEM Award.

Western Cape College acting principal Dan Tonon praised their achievements.

Mr Jakubowski credited the community, and especially the Elders, for keeping his passion alive.

“The Elders would come up to me and thank me and appreciate me, and that’s probably why I stayed all these years,” he said.

“It was very hard to leave, Pormpuraaw people are good people and I’m going to miss them. I had no idea what to expect when I went there and I was welcomed and appreciated, especially by the Elders, and I would like to thank them.”

Despite the centre’s stellar statistics since he came on board, with more than 90 artists involved and millions of dollars

Mr Jakubowski said of all the artist’s achievements during his tenure, he was most proud of the five books the centre published.

“It’s a long-term legacy, many years from now our descendants will be reading those books. I think I’m most proud of that,” he said.

The art centre management has been taken over by Ellen Maugeri, a Pormpuraaw local.

“It just goes to show that being in Weipa doesn’t discount you from being recognised if you do the hard work and give it your best shot,” he said.

“Both Elise and Bree should be very proud of their efforts. The college is certainly very proud of them.”

The Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in STEM Education recognise students and teachers who demonstrate an outstanding and innovative contribution to STEM education in Queensland.

The awards are named after Professor Peter Doherty, a Brisbane-born Nobel Prizewinning scientist.

The Queensland Government has a vision for Neighbourhood Centres to “support and empower every person to connect, participate, contribute, and thrive” by offering a physical space that welcomes and empowers people to connect with each other, as well as access the services and supports they need to thrive.

The Cooktown District Community Centre (CDCC) is a funded Neighbourhood Centre delivering a range of community services from early years programs through to adolescence, family support and senior’s programs.

OUR PROGRAMS INCLUDE:

CDCC invites all members of the public to meet our team & hear about each of our programs. Please join us for an entertaining afternoon including a cake competition, a light meal & refreshments

When: Friday 15th September Time: Noon – 3:00PM

Where: CWA Charlotte Street opposite Marano’s