A Whaley Good Art

line up, with indigenous leaders opening the Festival on Friday evening and leading many of the education classes and workshops.

In particular, Master Reef Guides will be playing a big part of the upcoming festival, leading various educational workshops and opportunities.

Crystal Lacey has been highly influential in ecotourism and edu-tourism, stepping into the role of Environmental Coordinator for the Great Barrier Reef Festival

With almost 50 submissions, the inaugural Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Show is shaping up to be an exciting addition to the event this year.

“We are bringing the Great Barrier Reef to life for the Great Barrier Reef Festival,” Crystal explains.

“Enhancing the Festival in these key spaces, from idea and concept to the actual event.”

Closely partnered with Reef educational bodies and eco-tourism operators, the Great Barrier Reef Festival provides in depth knowledge and education for community members and festival attendees.

Crystal was also integral with incorporation of indigenous leaders into the Festival

“This is the biggest collection of Master Reef Guides ever to be arranged,” Crystal said.

Crystal initially approached the Great Barrier Reef Committee in 2022.

“I wanted to bring the reef to the festival so I said, ‘this is what we should do and this is how we can do it’.”

Crystal has an extensive history of tourism, marine boating, and ocean activities, and has moved into eco-tourism, conservation, and education, through her business, Little Fish Tourism.

She was instrumental in the Welcome to the Whales event last month and a driving force behind pushing for the Whitsundays to become an accredited Whale Heritage Site, with the World Cetacean Alliance.

The Great Barrier Reef Festival theme for 2023 is to celebrate the whales, which goes hand-in-hand with gaining this accreditation.

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Thursday

Embracing the broader festival theme, the art show ‘Grandeur of the Humpback Whales’ invited submissions comprising of whales, the reef, the Whitsundays and the environment above and below sea level.

Organiser, Leigh Skead from Creative Connections Whitsundays, said she was “totally floored” by the number of entrees.

“We pulled it together at the last minute and so many local artists came out of the woodwork,” she explained.

“We are very pleased with the response, and it is great to see young kids right through to people who could command thousands of dollars for their artwork participate.”

The Art Show is being held at Beach Plaza, next to La Tabella Restaurant on the Airlie Beach Esplanade, and will be open throughout the festivities.

Build upon community connection, the judging for the best artwork is entirely ‘people’s choice’ with everyone encour- aged to come and take a look at the art before casting their vote to select a worthy winner.

There is only one overall winner announced and attendees are also invited to purchase raffle tickets to support ongoing art events in the region.