Embracing Art

Art lover, collector, practitioner or browser, you’ll find something to quicken your heartbeat at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre at Banksia Beach.

Run by Bribie Island Community Arts Society, it is a mostly self-funded centre, volunteer-driven and membership-dependent. It attracts more than 47,000 annually.

Start your day on Bribie with a delightful bush walk through the Centre’s adjoining Bicentennial Gardens. Maps of the tracks though eucalypt, wallum and palm forests and the fauna and flora therein are available for a gold coin donation at the Centre. Then pop in to discover the wonderful art that lies in wait - and enjoy a delicious snack, meal and relaxing cuppa at their Café 191. For artists: There are beautiful galleries offering accessible yearround showcase for local and visiting artists across the mediums, from painting, pottery, sculpture, woodwork, fabric, glassware, metal and jewellery. The centre’s jewel in the crown, the Matthew Flinders Gallery, is an expansive, flexible and inviting space for solo and joint exhibitions, competitions and showcase events. It also suits musical events and private functions, which can be arranged with COVID-19 restrictions in mind.

The Seasoned Outdoor Gallery features special whimsical, fun and practical garden art pieces to suit all tastes. Come walk in this peaceful, garden courtyard to check them out. For hirers: Spacious, airy studios offer experienced and wouldbe artists opportunity to join groups to learn, share, laugh, cement friendships, undergo workshops and gain inspiration and confidence. Potters, painters, leadlighters, glass artists, pastellists, pen and ink sketchers, watercolourists, textile workers and experimenters, sewers, knitters and quilters fill these spaces every week and welcome newcomers to their midst.

An attractive Boardroom suits meetings, conferences and classes, with catering packages available on request. Regular art and craft workshops are held in the studios throughout the year, with talented and inspiring tutors from throughout south-east Queensland.

For visitors: For a gift that says “Bribie’, come to åBICAS artisans’ gift shop, which features a breathtaking and changing array of special objects unique to the island. The constant turnover of stock ensures there are lovely surprises at every visit.

Cafe 191 on site 9am – 2pm. (Sundays 9am – 1pm) Bring a friends group. We also welcome bus groups, school tours and social clubs. Book with chef Corey for group catering on cafe191bribiearts@outlook.com or phone 0491 344 135 Bribie Gem and Fossicking Club and District Woodcrafters are working on site most days and welcome newcomers and curious onlookers.

For inquiries about any of the above, or how you can become a BICAS member, contact the Centre on 3408 9288 or email info@bribieartscentre.com.au, visit the website on www.bribieartscentre.com.au or call at 191 Sunderland Drive, Banksia Beach from 9am to 4pm Tuesday – Saturday and 9am – 1pm Sundays.