Maryborough’s Creativity Blooming Like Never Before
Highlighting and celebrating Fraser Coast’s local artists in new four-part gallery exhibition.
Pigs do fly, naughty cats’ attitudes are captured on canvas and beautiful work is created from tiny stitches in a new four-part exhibition that turned heads when it opened on Thursday night.
With creativity blooming in Maryborough like never before, Councillor Michelle Govers was spot on when she described Gatakers Artspace as the venue for one of the most exciting exhibition seasons the city has ever seen.
The Artspace, nestled in one of the city’s most charming nooks between Kent and Wharf Street, has become a tourist destination as well as a popular pop-in place for residents. And more good news is hovering on the Wharf Street precinct.
Councillor Govers, the Fraser Coast Regional Council Arts and Culture spokesperson, said the current exhibitions offered something for everyone, with “four very different shows that highlight the incredible creativity of our local artists”.
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour was impressed by the talent on the walls when he opened the exhibition, heading quickly to the Gallery 1 painting by Russian-born Elena Churilova that depicted pigs flying in a cloud formation.
“That appeals to me,” said the Mayor, pictured with Elena beside the painting. Elena will take part in the free ‘Artist in Conversation’ sessions across the first weekend in May, giving a demonstration and talk on Sunday, May 4, at 11am.
Gallery 2 has ‘Simply Stitches’, showing intricate work by the Maryborough Heritage City Embroiderers. Visitors can also catch them in action during live embroidery demonstrations on the next two Saturdays, April 26 and May 3, from 9.30am to 11.30am.
The ‘Cattitude’ exhibit in Gallery 3 is a playful tribute to the charm and chaos of feline friends. The works in painting, drawing and mixed media have been created by Wendy Talbot, Jo Williams, Sheena Walsh and Kerry Harrison who were inspired by a shared love (and frustration) of living with cats. The talented four are pictured with suitable attitude.
Gallery 4 is a powerful collaboration by Nora Hanasy and Jo Williams entitled ‘Salt’. It explores themes of identity, loss, trauma and resilience in deeply personal works reflecting their experiences and how nature and creativity helped them heal.
Cr Govers said ‘Salt’ was raw and honest: “It’s about life’s hard moments, and how we grow through them.” ‘Cattitude’, on the other hand, brought lightness and laughter. “It’s this mix of stories and styles that makes the launch of these exhibitions so special.”
The free ‘Artist in Conversation’ sessions across the first weekend in May are Saturday, May 3: 9.30am ‘Simply Stiches’ embroidery demonstrations with the Maryborough Heritage City Embroidery group; 10am ‘Salt’ with Nora Hanasy & Jo Williams; 12 noon, ‘Cattitude’ with four artists. Sunday May 4: 11am, ‘Identities’ demo and talk with Elena Churikova.
Registrations are required for the ‘Artist in Conversation’ events. “Events like these are a great chance to hear directly from the artists about what inspires them and how their work comes together,” Cr Govers said. “It helps us connect with the art – and with each other – in a much more meaningful way.”
Gatakers Artspace is open Tuesday to Friday from 9.30am to 3.30pm and weekends from 9.30am to 2pm. Entry is free.
By Nancy Bates