Arts

from Your Local: June 2021

Out & About

EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS SIGNIFICANCE OF ‘COUNTRY’

A stunning exhibition of art by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from many Indigenous nations celebrating the concept of ‘country’ will be officially opened at the USC Art Gallery at 3pm on Saturday May 22.

The exhibition, called Country In Mind, has been curated by Christopher Bassi – an artist of Meriam (Torres Strait), Yupangathi (Cape York) and British descent – and features works that are primarily from the USC Art Collection.

Mr Bassi said the exhibition included art from the Central Desert, the Kimberley, Arnhem Land and the Gulf country and showcased the many ways Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists make works of and about country.

“For First Nations people the term ‘country’ is used as an expression of the relationship between an individual and their ancestral lands and seas,” he said.

“Connection to country is inherent - we are born to it, it is how we identify ourselves, it is our family, our laws, our inheritance, and our legacy.

“The artists in this exhibition represent the land as the link between spirituality, culture, language, family, law and identity.”

USC Art Gallery Manager Megan Williams said USC was presenting this exhibition as part of a Connecting Stories program to showcase First Nations art and culture through exhibitions, public art, cultural tours, workshops, artist talks and events at South East Queensland regional art galleries during May and June. The Country In Mind exhibition will be on show at USC from May 17 until July 31. USC Art Gallery, 90 Sippy Downs Drive Sippy Downs. www.usc.edu.au/art-gallery

Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori, All the fish in the sea 2005

Woodworkers on show

Cooroora Woodworkers Club Kent Smith

The Art & Sculpture Gallery at THE ART HUB Cooroy will be exhibiting the amazing creative artworks of Cooroora Woodworkers Club members and Kent Smith Artist.

The Cooroora Woodworkers Club focuses on sharing the enjoyment of working with wood. Their members include men and women working in a friendly and supportive atmosphere having the availability of well maintained woodworking equipment. They make items for schools, aged-care facilities, disadvantaged families, the local botanical gardens and other community associations. Above all they love working with wood…

A small group of Timber Artisan’s have grouped together to showcase their beautiful timber creations at the new exhibition running until June 18.

The artisan participants are - Michael Mitchell, Merryn Paul, Jeffrey Fraser, Aline Briggs, Elizabeth Moss, Otto Pickermann, Billi Jan Campbell and Anya Nilson.

Also exhibiting is Kent Smith, an accomplished painter who generally paints on large panels in acrylic and mixed media, and has exhibited widely on the Sunshine Coast.

In the US he worked as a Landscape Architect on major urban renewal and parks project in Michigan.

As head of a design team in Melbourne, he worked on major projects like Gas Works Park, and was involved in many urban design projects around Victoria - his current artwork is an off-shoot of this background. Exhibition runs from May 21 to June 18 @THE ART HUB Cooroy, 3/2 Emerald Street, Cooroy. Ph: 5447 6155

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Book by Winnie Holzman

Get on board!

JOIN US AT THE MARY VALLEY RATTLER

What a night for the Majestic Theatre in Pomona celebrating their 100th birthday. The line up of bands was incredible - Brett Kelly Trio, Barry Charles & Band, The Look Band with Hat Fitz n Cara and Bruce Bird with BB & The Kings. A tremendous start to the celebrations that couldn’t have happened without the support of so many volunteers and an incredible cake from Richie’s in Cooroy.

SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL RADF GRANTS CLOSES 1 JULY

Are you an artist, producer or creative practitioner with an incredible project to get off the ground? Are you looking for professional development or mentorship? You may be eligible to apply for funding. Limited one on one info sessions available. www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Living-and-Community/ Grants-and-Funding/Grants-Programs/Regional-ArtsDevelopment-Fund

Hinterland craft beer festival is back

Fine brews, tasty food & music

The HINTERLAND CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL is back for 2021, presenting eight local breweries and a smorgasbord of fun-filled entertainment, live music and food.

The festival will showcase brews from Heads of Noosa, Copperhead Brewery, Boiling Pot Brewing Co, Moffat Beach Brewery, Sunshine Brewery, Brouhaha Brewery, Your Mates Brewing and Eumundi Brewery.

Imperial Hotel Manager Paul Thomas is thrilled to be hosting the event after a Covid-necessitated hiatus in 2020.

“This much-anticipated event gives beer-lovers a great opportunity to sample and discover new beers, he says. “With more than 40 craft beers on offer, there’ll be something for everyone – ales, lagers, sours, porters, stouts, IPA’s and other specialty beers.

“And if you’re passionate about your craft beer it's a great chance to meet and share stories with the fabulous team of brewers who’ll be there on the day."

Festival-goers can also taste and vote for the two finalist brews in Eumundi Brewery’s ‘Brewed By EU’ beer competition.

And to accompany the sensational brews, there will be some seriously tasty street food on the menu.

The event also boasts a program of live music and grooves, including BENNY O, RYAN GILES, THE OLIVIA RUTH TRIO, and the Imperial Hotel’s Vinyl DJs. There’ll also be a special BEER FEST KARAOKE for those keen to share their vocal talent!

Roving performers will have guests laughing and there will be special Pinball Lane set up for the day, as well as a raft of old skool pub games. Saturday June 26, 12noon til 8pm. Free-entry and family-friendly. The Imperial Hotel Eumundi.