Artspace Mackay is Mackay's regional art gallery, owned and operated by Mackay Regional Council. ht Artspace Mackay aims to provide community members and visitors to the region with access to the highest quality exhibitions, activities and events.
Operating as usual
IT'S CHANGEOVER TIME again here in the Foundation Gallery at Artspace. Our exhibitions team have been hard at work installing Niloufar Lovegrove's beautiful new exhibition 'Too Little, Too Much'. Get your ticket for the official opening 6pm Friday 2 December www.artspacemackay.eventbrite.com
Also opening in the Main Gallery – Asia Pacific Contemporary: Three Decades of APT, and in the Foyer Gallery, Ryan Vella: Underground Spandex, and Focus on the Collection: Formed
HOT OF THE PRESS! Ryan Vella's new show 'Underground Spandex' has a great little exhibition brochure featuring an interview with the artist. Get your printed copy at Artspace for only $2 or download for free here http://bit.ly/3U2nEej
Drawing the same subject in different ways will hone your knowledge of the subject. Try one of these activities: make a sketch while looking at both the subject and your drawing with a set time limit e.g. 3 minutes. Then try sketching with looking just at the subject and not at your drawing. It will be wonky but wonderful!
Have you immersed yourself in Veronika Zeil’s ‘The Eloquence of Trees’ exhibition? In its final days – Zeil’s exhibition features installation ‘Root Rumours’ which invites the viewer into a reflective environment to contemplate both our relationship with and impact on nature. Drop in to Artspace to see this wonderful exhibition before it closes at 3pm on Sunday 20 November.
Image: Veronika ZEIL, ‘Root Rumours’ 2020 installation view, vinyl, stainless steel and mirror, 300 x 100cm. Photo: Jim Cullen Photographer
Looking for a 'one of a kind' Christmas gift?🎄🎄
The Gallery Shop has your answer! These vintage silk scarfs and handmade bags, created by local artisans Wabi Sabi, are sure to be the most unique present this year.
Have you ever tried mixing your own paints using dry pigments? Why not try crushing your own. Look around your yard or in your pantry - you might find some luscious colours!
See how D Harding uses dry pigment on The Wall in our Foyer gallery
They'll be lots of art making fun at BMA Kidspace next Tuesday the 15th November!! The gallery will be full of roaming friendly lion puppets, making friends with happy paddle pop stick campers!!! Bring your creative toddlers along for this great FREE art program especially designed for under 5's, drop-in anytime from 10am to 2pm and stay as long as you'd like.
Tuesday November 15, Artspace Mackay workshop room
First Art session: 10 - 11:30am
Music session: 11:30am - 12:15pm
Second Art session: 12:15 - 2pm
‘At Odds with Dogs’ by Karla Dickens forms part of our current ‘Figuratively Speaking’ exhibition in the foyer gallery. This powerful artwork speaks to the human experience of battling the ‘black dog’. Working with a kaleidoscope pattern, Dickens collages dog silhouettes and storybook imagery into her work to represent the cyclic experience of mental health.
Image: Karla DICKENS, ‘At Odds with Dogs’ 2013, mixed media, 110 x 100cm. Mackay Regional Council Art Collection. Photo: Jim Cullen Photographer
Save The Date! Conversations With Art, 1 - 2.30pm Friday 18 Nov at Artspace Mackay.
Held on the 3rd Friday of each month, Conversations with Art is held in the Artspace Workshop Room. It’s a free and enjoyable discussion led by Artspace staff as we look at images of traditional and contemporary artworks from Gallery and Museum Collections from around the world. It’s not an art theory lesson, it’s simply a casual conversation to talk about the art and deconstructing the works, considering themes, possible techniques used by the artist, and creating links with our own personal experiences. Whether you’re an artist, an art and language lover, beginner, or expert, we’d love you to join us!
Book now for free!
https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/conversations-with-art-tickets-237941227617
It's less then a week until November BMA Kidspace!!! If you have a creative little person at home, next Tuesday November 15 is the day to visit Artspace 🎨 🙂. Join local artists Pam and Rosemary for our ever-popular toddlers' program which gives children under five a chance to explore and have fun with art in a climate of co-operative learning. Bring your toddlers along for a fun day of art-making, singing and dancing, drop-in anytime from 10am to 2pm and stay as long as you'd like.
Tuesday November 15, Artspace Mackay workshop room
First Art session: 10 - 11:30am
Music session: 11:30am - 12:15pm
Second Art session: 12:15 - 2pm
Looking for an elegant Christmas gift?
Then we have your solution! 's handmade jewellery is soft, graceful and timeless. These pieces are accompanied by a beautiful accent of Keshi pearls, which gives them some extra sparkle.
Come check out this and more now available in our Gallery Shop!
Artists books can be very elaborate to very simple artforms. Here is one variation of single page book folding that is easy to try. Do artwork on the paper before cutting and folding for a random effect OR add the artwork after to each individual page after folding OR do a bit of both!
There are some beautiful examples of different artists books to be seen in our current exhibition "Tales of the Lyre Bird".
Spotted in ‘Tales of the Lyre Bird’ is ‘Karoola Fragments’ by Rochelle Knartson. The idea for this collaborative artist book project was conceived at John Page and Sharlene Nippiris’ home in Townsville. Of the project, artist and curator Ron McBurnie recalls “John and his grandmother Gerty Page had collected variety of small, coloured fragments of broken ceramics from the old Karoola property near Winton. Gerty had shared with John many stories relating to the individual fragments, the original vessels they were once part of and the way they had fitted in to the running and daily life of the Karoola homestead. John collected these stories and then I invited Rochelle to make fragment plates relating each one. After the plates were printed, each fragment was hand coloured and torn close to the edge of the images to give a slightly textured edge, much like a fragment of crockery to give them depth on the page.”
Image: Rochelle Knartson, ‘Karoola fragments’ 1998, hand-coloured etching tipped in, letterpress, casebound, edition 2/30, 27.6 x 20.9 x 0.9 cm, Townsville: Lyre Bird Press. Mackay Regional Council Art Collection, purchased 2002
Image: Jim Cullen Photographer
Beautiful in blue 💙
Come and check out Ronelle Clarke's new handmade pottery, these pots are sure to give any room a pop of colour. Find this and more in our Gallery Shop!
Take some me time at the Gallery this week to refresh and relax.
is open 10.00am – 5.00pm Tuesday - Sunday, free entry.
Image: Tales of the Lyre Bird, Main Gallery, Artspace Mackay. On display unitl November 27
Looking for some FREE MENTORSHIP ADVICE to support your Arts Practice??? Make sure you sign up to the CBC Program ASAP as this opportunity is only open until the end of the year !!!!!
https://cqregionalarts.net/rasn-creative-business-hub/
Are you a Qld artist or arts worker with a clear vision for the growth of your career, project or arts business? Are you ready to move forward in your creative career?
Look at the luscious, thick, creamy use of paint here. Does it make you want to play freely with some paint and see what happens? Come into the gallery and see the whole artwork in person.
Image: Davida Allen 'Figure laying under gumtree watching birds' (detail) 2005, oil on board
Ooh, sparkly!✨✨
Whitsunday Crafts colourful handmade earrings are absolutely stunning! As a bonus, this beautiful creator donates 20% of her sales to the Fikia Dada Rescue Centre for Women! Located in Limuru, Kenya.
These earing's and more located in our Gallery Shop!
MONEY FOR ART! If you’re studying, or plan to study visual or creative arts at tertiary level in 2023, you could be eligible for one of Artspace Mackay’s valuable bursaries. There are two currently available, a $3,000 Artspace Mackay Foundation Bursary for tertiary students already studying, and a $1,000 Rick Wood Bursary for high school students beginning tertiary study in 2023.
APPLY NOW! Applications close Friday 6th January 2023
Visit www.artspacemackay.com.au/learning for terms and conditions.
bookings now open for our November PUBLIC ART WALK!
4:30pm Friday 4 November, Departing Artspace Mackay, Gordon St
Book your free ticket now 👇
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/public-art-walk-tickets-441377671497
Hosted by Artspace Mackay Director Tracey Heathwood, the free city art walk for all ages begins at Artspace Mackay and takes you through the city centre. Along the way, participants will learn about Mackay’s iconic public art installations, and the local, and internationally-acclaimed artists who created them. Whether you’re an artist, art lover, local or visitor to our lovely riverside city, you’ll find this late afternoon public art walk a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Bring friends, family members, or come by yourself - wear a hat, comfortable shoes, bring a bottle of water, and arrive promptly to Artspace Mackay as the group will depart on time.
Image: Marissa MOORE Sea turtle 2019. Completed as part of 5th Lane Street Art. Photography by Kath Heke
Drawing with charcoal and water can give some lovely contrasting effects. Simple, accessible materials, maybe add a little ink too? You could start by looking outside at some trees for inspiration.
Come and see Veronika Zeil's use of these materials in her exhibition 'Echo Forest-the Eloquence of Trees' in the Foundation Gallery Artspace Mackay.
D Harding is a descendant of the Bidjara, Ghungalu and Garingbal communities of Central Queensland. They work in a wide variety of media to explore the visual and social languages of their communities as cultural continuum. ‘Transfer painting on Yuwi’ is a site-specific artwork, created in residence at Artspace Mackay. This two-part artwork is made from acacia tree gum and natural earth pigment on paper and extends from the foyer wall to the opposite wall at a significant height, challenging the museum and gallery display conventions. Of this the artist writes: ‘There are many reasons that our cultures benefit from ways of viewing and appreciating the world around us when it isn’t presented to us at eye height and in standardised formats.’ On display until 20 November.
Image: D. HARDING Transfer painting on Yuwi (detail) 2022, 1kg terra verde, gum Arabic on 185gsm Arches cold pressed paper, graphite on wall, dimensions variable, paper in two parts: 1.5 x 10m; 1.5 x 5m. Photo: Jim Cullen Photographer
KIDS ART CLUB IS BACK! Local artist Rosemary Payne and her Term 4 Saturday art students are excited about trees!.. Check out these beautiful ink drawing using twigs and watercolours – just wonderful, and so expressive 😍
MONEY FOR ART! If you’re studying, or plan to study visual or creative arts at tertiary level in 2023, you could be eligible for one of Artspace Mackay’s valuable bursaries. There are two currently available, a $3,000 Artspace Mackay Foundation Bursary for tertiary students already studying, and a $1,000 Rick Wood Bursary for high school students beginning tertiary study in 2023.
APPLY NOW! Applications close Friday 6th January 2023
Visit www.artspacemackay.com.au/learning for terms and conditions.
Hey little artists it's almost BMA Kidspace time again!!! Come join our local artists for lots of creative art-making, singing and dancing, drop-in anytime from 10am to 2pm and stay as long as you'd like.
NEXT Tuesday October 13, Artspace Mackay workshop room
First Art session: 10 - 11:30am
Music session: 11:30am - 12:15pm
Second Art session: 12:15 - 2pm
On display in our foyer gallery is ‘Figuratively Speaking’, a small collection of artworks from the Mackay Regional Council Art Collection that contemplate what it means to work in a figurative style. The exhibition features artworks by Rosella Namok, Davida Allen, Karla Dickens and Clara Adolphs and illustrates how the figure can be considered in artistic practice through contrasting techniques and motifs. On now until 20 November 2022.
Images: Jim Cullen Photographer
MONEY FOR ART! If you’re studying, or plan to study visual or creative arts at tertiary level in 2023, you could be eligible for one of Artspace Mackay’s valuable bursaries. There are two currently available, a $3,000 Artspace Mackay Foundation Bursary for tertiary students already studying, and a $1,000 Rick Wood Bursary for high school students beginning tertiary study in 2023.
APPLY NOW! Applications close Friday 6th January 2023
Visit www.artspacemackay.com.au/learning for terms and conditions.
IMAGE: Seventh Lane, Mackay (detail) 2012. Local, national and international artists contributed to a street art installation during Mackay’s Easter Laneway Project.
Artspace Mackay is Mackay's regional art gallery, owned and operated by Mackay Regional Council.
http://www.artspacemackay.com.au/
LISTEN TO TREES > This week at Artspace, more than 100 Bucasia State Primary School kids were inspired by Veronika Zeil's exhibition 'Echo Forest – the Eloquence of Trees' and her work 'Forest Listening' (pictured). We talked about soundwaves, communication and the environment. And then together we contributed to a 6 metre long collaborative 'soundwave' landscape drawing on paper – adding our own creative illustrations and ideas to the sky and the waterway!
GALLERY TOURS > We had the best time with Bucasia State Primary School year 4 and year 2 students at Artspace this week! They explored 'Tales of the Lyre Bird' artworks with Jan, talked about D Harding's 'Transfer painting on Yuwi' with Billie-Jo, experienced Visual Thinking Strategies with Wanda, made drawings with Traci inspired by Davida Allen's painting 'Figure lying under the gumtree watching birds', and even made a six metre collaborative drawing with Irene inspired by Veronika Zeil's work titled 'Forest Listening'. So much fun!
Thank you Sophie Munns for your wonderful artist's talk at Artspace lastnight! You were very generous to share so much about your personal art practice, with tips, tricks and inspiration for art making and researching – an inspiring and creative blend of science and art.
Making a simple woodcut original print can be very satisfying. Carve, ink, paper. press. Voila! Come and see both simple and complex woodcuts at the Tales of the Lyre Bird exhibition. Open until November 20.
Welcome to Mackay Sophie!
Looking forward to the talk with Sophie Munns this evening
TEACHERS & STUDENTS! 5:30pm this Wed 12 Oct, Artspace is hosting a presentation by Brisbane artist Sophie Munns whose art practice features as a case study in 'Creative Enquiry' Queensland senior secondary visual art resource. This is a free event and educators, students and art lovers are all welcome so get your free tix now at www.artspacemackay.eventbrite.com
Two Plums jewellery have some exciting new additions!
Come take a look at their metal earrings. Each piece is beautifully handcrafted, which aims to encourage ethical and environmentally sustainable jewellery!
Have you spotted the lyre birds yet?
The Lyre Bird Press was a key driver of artists’ book production in Australia at the end of the twentieth century. Drawing from the significant holdings of the Mackay Regional Council Art Collection, ‘Tales of the Lyre Bird’ follows the important output of the press from its Melbourne conception by Tate Adams AM to its reinvigoration in North Queensland in the early 90s. Curated by Ron McBurnie and Helen Cole, this major survey highlights fascinating works conceived via the press, as well as the tales, friendships and working relationships that were forged from its existence. On now until 27 November 2022.
Image: Jim Cullen Photographer
Do you know a creative 8 to 12 year old who loves making art? If so let them know about Kids Art Club, Artspace Mackay’s ongoing term-based Saturday art program!!! Led by local award winning artist Rosemary Payne, young participants will spend 6 weeks using fun-filled art activities to explore and respond to the exhibitions on display. They learn new techniques and make art with all kinds of exciting creative art materials!
Term 4 details: 10am- 12pm, Saturday 15 October to Saturday 19 November (six week program) $180 per child, includes materials.
To book a place visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/kids-art-club-term-4-tickets-411731087767
The Workshop Room, Artspace Mackay, Civic Precinct, Gordon St. Less
BOOK NOW!!! Only a few places left for Kids Art Club Term 4!
Kids Art Club is Artspace Mackay’s ongoing term-based Saturday art program for 8 to 12 year olds who love making art. Led by local award winning artist Rosemary Payne, young participants will spend 6 weeks using fun-filled art activities to explore and respond to the exhibitions on display. They learn new techniques and make art with all kinds of exciting creative art materials!
To book your place visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/kids-art-club-term-4-tickets-411731087767
10am - 12pm Saturday 15 October to Saturday 19 November (six week program) $180 per child, includes materials.
The Workshop Room, Artspace Mackay, Civic Precinct, Gordon St.
Join us next Wednesday October 12 at 5:30pm for an Artist's Talk with visiting Brisbane based artist Sophie Munns.
Featured as an 'Art as Lens' case study in the Queensland senior secondary visual art resource, 'Creative Enquiry', Munns stunning work melds art with the science of seeds.
Join us at Artspace Mackay as Sophie makes the case for the wonder and power of curiosity as a learning tool to navigate a changing world. The artist describes a technique she calls ‘bio-cultural mapping’ – offering teachers and students an integrated method for exploring themes of biodiversity and climate change. Sophie uses rare and common seeds as a lens for viewing various aspects of the world including the constant regeneration of life.
To book your free ticket visit
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/artists-talk-tickets-428245462707
Foyer Gallery, Artspace Mackay
Meet ‘Creative Inquiry’ featured artist Sophie Munns
61 Gordon Street
Mackay, QLD
4740
| Tuesday | 10am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 10am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 10am - 5pm |
| Friday | 10am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 3pm |
| Sunday | 10am - 3pm |
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