Archive for the ‘Wot happened on this day’ Category
THE RANGE: Centre for Regional Arts Practice Event
ARE YOU A REGIONAL ARTIST?
The Centre for Regional Arts Practice (C.R.A.P.) event, ‘Are you a regional artist?’ was part of the 2012 RANGE festival of art and culture program. Attended by around thirty people from around the Toowoomba region the event took place at The GRID Creative Space. The stimulus for the event and its question is the series of artist survey books produced by C.R.A.P. founders Victoria Cooper and Doug Spowart. Topics covered by the books deal with the issues and the experiences that Cooper and Spowart have encountered over many years as regional artists. Surveys have included the following titles:
#1 How do you know you are a regional artist?
#2 How do you now you operate a regional arts business?
#3 The inland regional artist & the beach
#4 The regional artist & climate change
#5 The regional artist & the global financial crisis
#6 Swine flu & the regional artist
#7 Air travel & the regional artist
#8 Flooding in your studio
#9 Summer lethargy
#10 The New Zealand regional artist
#11 Vote 1: Campaign for Regional Artists for Government Election (Democracy)
#12 Checklist of the signs that extractive mining has taken over your regional community.
Six local artists accepted the invitation to participate in the event by selecting an artist survey book that related to their experiences and interests. They were asked to select passages from the books and to present and discuss these passages. The artists were: Jack Atley, Fancy Darling, John Elliott, Elysha Gould, Sue Lostroh and Jennifer Wright (Summers) [Their Bios are included at the end of this post]. The panel members represent a diversity of practice which is both grounded by necessity but also enjoying the freedom to be at the creative edge. Toowoomba’s art community is evolving and seemingly drawing strength from a fertile montage of place-minded inclusivity along with strident individualism. This motivated group of young and established artists are moving with the changing landscape of the regional arts practice, while also operating within a national and global perspective.
The Artist Survey books acted as catalyst and provocateurs for discussion and commentary where each panellist presented a particular slant on their selected subject. What followed was an organic and freeform forum with a range of questions being discussed and challenged. The main theme—the identity crisis of regional artist—was at the centre; the responses made the issues relevant, while evoking alternative considerations.
After each panellist’s segment the audience was asked if the ‘agreed’ or ‘disagreed’ with the proposition put by each Artists Survey Book. Some topics, such as ‘Do you need a week at the beach’, ‘How do you know if you operate a regional business’ and ‘The signs that mining has taken over your community’ resulted in a majority support. Other books, including ‘Would you agree that regional artists should form their own political party’ and ‘The regional artist and the GFC’, drew out other interesting issues and challenges from the panel and attendees beyond just the questions posed in the books. In some cases the outcome of the discussion recognised that all artists, from both regions and city, connect with the same issues. Perhaps all artists are regional?
From the panellist’s responses it became evident that regional artists are passionate people with opinions and ideas about their practice and the opportunities and challenges of regional life. The feedback coming from some of the informal discussions at the end of the night suggested there could be future events of this nature in the form of a forum.
From our perspective this event brought not just consensus, but importantly new perspectives on, and challenges to, what it means to be a regional artist living and working on The RANGE.
Finally, attendees were invited to contribute comments to the forthcoming Artists Survey Book ‘The regional artist and the artists run initiative’. This edition of the C.R.A.P. Artist Survey book is intended to celebrate the role of the ARI in the Toowoomba region—the main theme of The RANGE festival.
Until next time …
PANELIST’S BIOS
Elysha Gould is a visual artist and Co-Director and founder of the artist-run initiative, made.Creative Space Toowoomba, and is the current Supervisor of Dogwood Crossing arts and cultural facility in Miles, Queensland. Living as an expatriate during the formative years of her childhood and having a mixed Australian-Japanese heritage, Elysha’s work incorporates paper cutting, drawing and installation that explore ideas of cross-cultural representations, contrasting contexts in the imagery and materials she uses.
Sue Lostroh was born in Sydney half a century ago, now living and working in Toowoomba, Sue has various tertiary qualifications the latest being a Master of Philosophy. However her study now happens on her travels to various destinations including Hong Kong, Singapore, England, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and France so far. Sue trained as a printmaker but turned into an installation artist who has held a handful of solo exhibitions, her favourite was at the National Sculpture Forum in Canberra: Adopt my language say your farewells. She has participated in over 35 group shows in a variety of locations including Singapore, Brisbane and Toowoomba and she has a wide and varied arts experience curating about 80 exhibitions since 1987, she was an associate lecturer in visual arts and has supervised various research projects for students undertaking professional development. Sue is associated with the production, editing or authoring of over 30 exhibition catalogues, 4 CDs and a considerable number of education kits, didactics and exhibition support material. Sue currently coordinates the education programmes at TRAG
John Elliott is a writer/photographer based in Toowoomba and works all over Australia. He has 14 books to his credit, had his own exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery and 25 works are in the NPG Collection. John’s work centres around his love of the bush and interest in people’s stories.
Jennifer Wright (Summers) is President at Arts Council Toowoomba and advocate for the establishment of Toowoomba Regional Council’s Public Art Policy. She enjoys building respectful relationships between councillors, businesses, artists and local community members. Jennifer was chosen to win the 2012 Regional Arts Australia award because she has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the Arts in her community, her commitment to creating opportunity for regional artists and tireless volunteering work.
Fancy Darling is an artist and musician. Painting and drawing the erotic, classically trained pianist singer songwriter and cabaret performer, currently a resident artist at the grid.
Jack Atley: punk rock warlord.
THE RANGE: Damien Kamholtz – Artist’s Talk@The Grid
A commentary of Damien’s presentation is being prepared and will be posted soon… Email Subscribe to this Blog to get the notice of new posts and updates. The subscription box is at the bottom right-hand side of this page… scroll down.
THE RANGE: Opening of ‘A Thousand Words’@Futures Gallery
On November 7 an exhibition by students from the Visual Arts department of the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE was opened in the Futures Gallery in Toowoomba. The paintings, prints and their presentation as a gallery exhibition have been created as part of assessment for the Certificate IV Visual Art and Contemporary Craft..

David Taylor, Faculty Director of the Education, Commerce and the Arts addresses the opening audience
One of the biggest opening crowds filled the gallery space with excited and proud students presenting their works to family and friends.
David Taylor, Faculty Director of the Education, Commerce and the Arts, commented on the quality of the works presented in the exhibition and the enthusiasm of the teaching team that worked with the students, Dr Deborah Beaumont, Jo Murphy, David Lemay and Tim Fry. The exhibition was opened by USQ’s Head of the Creative Arts School, Associate Professor Janet McDonald who discussed the close links of students and teachers between USQ and TAFE and the possibility of future collaboration between the two institutions.
One long term attendee at TAFE vis arts students end of year exhibitions commented that this is one of the best exhibitions that they’d seen since the early days of the art department with teachers like Fred Weitzsaker, Joe Ottway, Patrick Petein and Michael Schlitz.Congratulations to the students and teachers for the diverse and stimulating artworks presented in this exhibition. A Thousand Words Exhibition @ Futures Gallery continues until 12 November 2012.
A selection of student work from A Thousand Words follows…
THE RANGE: CHELSIE LUCK @ Tosari Galleries
The Toowoomba art scene has few artists as stylish and enigmatic as Chelsie Luck. With an exhibition record of 10 solo shows in the last 5 years Chelsie’s practice is prolific and well defined by her autobiographical approach to subject matter. Her bight palette, wide-eyed portraits of young women have a sense of life as adventure.
Chelsie’s exhibitions have formerly been held in ARIs that have nurtured her development as an artist. ARIs have provided her with a pathway to the commercial gallery and the opportunities that come come from that supporting institution.
The exhibition was opened by her former USQ lecturer and Toowoomba Chronicle arts reviewer Sandy Pottinger. Sandy’s erudite and eloquent speech provides an understanding of not only the artist and the work but also to the deeper origins and influences to the artist’s practice.
A YouTube video of the speech is attached below.
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Words, photos and video by Doug Spowart: Supporting THE RANGE Independent Arts and Culture Festival
THE RANGE Arts and Culture Festival: The LAUNCH
Last night, with much fanfare, social camaraderie and prominence, the Toowoomba art scene came alive with the launch of THE RANGE Arts and Culture Festival. The idea of a nine-day art event was masterminded by Ashleigh Bunter and was generously supported by Federal and State Government grants[1]. This activity promises to give a boost to the local arts community and will also serve as a celebration of the significant artist run initiative (ARI) scene in Toowoomba.
Attending the event at the Empire ‘Church’ were the glitterati of the local scene including two councilors (maybe more), the local newspaper art scene critic, gallery people, university art faculty members, art collectors, a couple of TAFE art teachers, art society members and representatives of the local arts council. Added to this group were numerous artists, performers, musicians, film-makers, creatives, art buyers and last but not least, members of the art interested public. SEE: The Chronicle Newspaper photos HERE.
Presented on one wall of the function room was a selectively curated group of artworks from what was described as the ‘Darlings of the Darling Downs’ art scene. This display included works by Damian Kamholtz, Stephen Spurrier and Danish Quapoor and were presented for the appreciation by attendees, and later in the evening, these works were auctioned providing an unusual addition to the formal proceedings.
The crowd excitedly engaged in conversation and were revved up by Councilor Geoff McDonald who acted as master of ceremonies for the evening. The chant ‘The—RANGE’, ‘The—RANGE’, ‘The—RANGE’ made an auspicious start to the proceedings and was followed an introduction to the directors and gallerists of the ARIs featured in the program—Alison Mooney—Mars + The Grid, Sally Johnson—Blockwork, Alexandra Lawson and Tarn McLea—Raygun and Alex Stalling and Elysha Gould—made. Creative Space.
An address by USQ’s Head of the Creative Arts School, Associate Professor Janet McDonald commented on the ARIs and their importance within our community as providing a space other than the traditional gallery institution. These initiatives allow emerging artists and curators, including many USQ students and graduates, to operate in the public space presenting work and building their experience and professional practice.
A second speaker, Charlie Cush, Senior Advisor Arts Culture, Local Government Association of Queensland, spoke excitedly when he expressed that he was ‘blown away by the grass roots arts movement in Toowoomba’. He stated ‘that many arts communities around the country are looking towards what is being achieved here as a model for the how an ARI can foster emerging artists and contribute to the vitality of a region’.
The audience was then treated to the spectacle of works from the ‘Darlings’ being auctioned off by a professional auctioneer—bids were slow however the activity highlighted one approach to the many ways in which art is presented for appreciation and acquisition.
From my point of view the concept of ARIs has been around for a long time. My experience in this gallery practice goes back to the 1980s when I was co-director of Imagery Gallery in Brisbane. At the time artist-run-spaces as they were called then, provided a platform for artists outside of the commercial scene to present their wild ideas and art. They were experimental art spaces, often overtly non-commercial and supported by an ‘in-crowd’ associated with the artist’s demographic, their training institution and the social networking possibilities that the gallery opening provided.
The RANGE ARI’s, through the umbrella created by this Bunter Project, now emerge, not as isolated special interest groups, but rather as a powerful support mechanism for the advancement of all aspects of art from inspiration, creation, presentation, appreciation, criticism, merchandising and possession. Perhaps, for a regional arts community this event marks a new era of respect and opportunity for art. This attitude is desperately needed in our current political and economic climate which is seemingly ambivalent to the presence and the value of art and its important role in the community and life.
As we left the launch party a lone smoker was outside watching the last of the featured local films projected on the open air theatre set up for the night—I’m sure she was contemplating the meaningfulness of this moment for the arts in Toowoomba …or just enjoying the warm night air, the open air theatre and a smoke.
ASLO SEE the Ash Bunter interview on the CHRONICLE NEWS Website
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BLOG words and images by Dr Doug Spowart in support of the RANGE Arts and Culture Festival.
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1. Regional Arts Development Fund–Arts Queensland and the Toowoomba Regional Council, and the Australian Government’s Regional Art Fund in partnership with Artslink.
HELP DESIGN YOUR CITY: TRC City Centre Master Plan consultations
Like all regional communities in the middle of the resources boom Toowoomba is a town growing rapidly. The Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has initiated studies to develop the necessary planning strategies considering the region’s expansion into the foreseeable future. The project is entitled the City Centre Master Plan (CCMP) and is intended to provide, ‘a co-ordinated set of design frameworks that will build on the strategic vision outlined in the CCMP by providing more detailed design concepts and guidelines.’[1]
Community consultations are a necessary part of the inclusive methodology employed by the TRC to ensure that their consultants and advisors ‘get it right’. On Wednesday the 17th of October members of the public and other interested parties were invited to ‘Help design public spaces within the Toowoomba City Centre’. We responded to an invitation for artists to contribute to the plan that came via the Arts Council of Toowoomba’s electronic mail-out.
At the meeting we were given an overview of the project and introduced to a plan for the workshop that divided the city into ‘places’ for review and discussion including the following: Open Spaces, Laneways and Streetscapes, Public Art projects and the landscape.
Vicky joined the table discussing the laneways and Public Art projects, which was directed by Brisbane art consultancy and project management group, Urban Art Projects (UAP). The discussion identified important Toowoomba Spaces: The Chronicle Arcade, Bell Street Mall, Duggan Street and general laneways and pathways commonly used to flow through the city. All agreed that the West Creek needed to be acknowledged as an important feature of the city.
The discussion of public art projects was highlighted with a question regarding the current lack of an art policy in the TRC planning agenda. The attendees were then reassured that the policy very close to being approved.
Many creative ideas, some new and some proven such as the Melbourne laneway projects were mentioned in the round table discussion. The need for safe public laneways and actively utilised, peopled public spaces were key points for the new development. In-situ and ephemeral art projects were high on the agenda to resolve some of these issues. The time passed and seemed productive for the team running the workshop. Some new networks were developed as people interacted in the discussion.
Even though there was a genuine attempt to be inclusive and respectful for the potential of existing structures both physical and cultural, there was no guarantee that any or all of the ideas would be realised. This was a plan for the possibilities, rather like a suggestion box. How they were to be funded and managed was not on the agenda.
On another table the topic of Open Spaces was discussed with Peter Richards, Director of Deike Richards, a Brisbane based multi-disciplinary design practice. The members of the discussion group included many urban planners, architects, councilors and artists. Topics discussed looked at traffic flow, tree-lined boulevards, redevelopment of large blocks including the City Hall precinct, ideas for the Toowoomba Foundry site, bikeways and the repurposing of car parks into greenspaces. Suggestions for the Foundry site included a market like Melbourne’s Victoria Markets, as well as an artist’s studio precinct and a GOMA/MONA-like gallery—could it be called “TOGA–TOowomba Gallery of Art?.
Ever present on maps of the Toowoomba City Centre at this meeting is a mega shopping centre development by QIC Global, creators of Robina on the Gold Coast and other major shopping centres. Their plan is to link the existing structures of Grand Central and Garden Town shopping centres with an overhead walkway. This will necessitate the demolition of the Council Library and the bridging of West Creek. It’s interesting to consider that shoppers will now only need to drive to either shopping centre, cross the walk way to the other and back into their cars. They perhaps will no longer need to engage with the older town shopping precinct.
What then is in store (a pun) for this historic town? What we are concerned about the following:
- Will art initiatives be managed, controlled and undertaken by outsiders in a kind of cultural fly-in fly-out fashion or will the art be nurtured and generated within?;
- Could the city centre end up as an experiment in urban(e) design?;
- Toowoomba has great historical value and memory, both Indigenous and colonial that needs to be considered;
- This city also has an important place in the landscape, on the divide between the great water system of inland Australia and the larger urban regions and fertile valleys of the coast; and
- As the community also is home to a rich arts scene, with many notable local, national and international creative individuals and groups that where ever possible could be involved as active participants.
We hope that commercial and political agendas will continue, as shown through this consultation process, to be influenced by community input, needs and values. And that this collaboration will create an ‘art-full’, exciting and functional city centre to support Toowoomba’s future as the commercial and public hub for this rapidly changing region.
Victoria Cooper & Dr Doug Spowart
[1] From the invitation ‘Help design public spaces within the Toowoomba City Centre’
APS TRAVELLING PRINT EXHIBITION 2012 in Toowoomba
In 2012 the Australian Photographic Society celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its formation. One of the three remaining foundation members from 1962 is Toowoomba’s own Graham Burstow. Graham and other local photographic luminaries Barry Whisson, Alwyn Kucks and Gerry Saide attended an exhibition of 100 prints from the 2012 APS Travelling Exhibition at Atelier Gallery on October 10, 2012.
The APS has come a long way in its 50 years and while I wasn’t around in the beginning I’ve been there since first joining the organisation in 1967. There’s something comfortable about the style of pictorialism that amateur photographers have refined and mastered that is evident in this show. And while some curators and academics may argue that pictorialism is a style of photography that died out a long time ago it’s alive a well an continuing to contribute amazing images of the world we inhabit — a few are selected here.
What for me is exciting is how everyone now can make their own high quality prints.15 years ago in the pre-digital era the projected colour slide was king as everyone could put a roll of Kodachrome in the 35mm camera and make photographs. Those who worked in the specialist technology trap of the darkroom were few and far between. What’s more the predominant genre was black and white as colour papers and processes were not really designed for home processing. Digital photography, computers and inkjet printing has given everyone the equivalent of a darkroom!
Congratulations to APS on its celebration of 50 years and to the members whose work was included in this exhibition.
FOR MORE DETAILS: http://www.a-p-s.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=152&Itemid=214
Set-up: COW ART – Year of the Farmer
The cows came back to Toowoomba to form a herd of 800+ artworks expressing the support of the 2012 Year of the Farmer. Organised by Paul Blinco and Debbie Nawrotzky from Pacific Seeds the corflute cows were decorated by artists, school kids and interested contributors to the project.
On Friday we took our artwork, the CondaMINE Cow, Variety: Thylacine (SEE previous post) out to the paddock to join up with the herd. Here are some images of the setup underway…

‘The CondaMINE Cow – Variety: Thylacine’ verso and recto (SEE background to the artwork – Click here)
More images+audio from the COW ART Facebook Page, the Toowoomba Chronicle and ABC Radio interview
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Imagine you know: Emerging artists in your community
Imaging you know, the 2012 Toowoomba Biennial Emerging Artists’ Award
Awardees names and works are listed at the end of this post…
September 16 – October 14, 2012
It is hard to measure the vitality of a community’s emerging art practice. For Toowoomba, the Biennial Emerging Artists’ Award provides a survey creates an opportunity to see the artists and their work. And from this year’s exhibition it appears that Toowoomba’s art scene is truly alive and vibrant. Eighteen artists were selected as finalists and at the award opening 11 artists had 20 of their works selected for purchase by the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery.
The title ‘emerging’ implies the younger artists however this show provides evidence of the ‘older emerging’ artist.
A detailed catalogue accompanies the show with an essay by Sue Lostroh and artist’s statements and images. From my point of view considering the ubiquitous nature of photography that few photographs were in the show. The selected works will form part of a travelling exhibition that tours the region under the title of Crates on Wheels Travelling Schools Exhibition.
Ultimately, what is exciting about the award is the diversity of approach to the process, media and visual communication that art is and can be. Significant to this is the role that the Toowoomba Regional Art Gallery plays in providing the vehicle by which this work can be given a space for it’s appreciation and enjoyment.
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Doug Spowart
17 September, 2012
Eleven Artists and twenty works selected for the Crates on Wheels Travelling Schools Exhibition in 2013.
(Information supplied by TRAG)
Miles ALLEN 2 works
Marrakech 4
Stacking carrots
Elissa BELLERT 1 work
Red elephant
Elysha GOULD 1 work
Nuclear power plants
Sandra JARRETT 3 works
Objects of worship series 1
Shifting sands #1 and #2
Nicki LAWS 3 works
A rich industrial past
When the mining boom ends
Old buildings are full of stories
Ian McCALLUM 1 work
Beyond seeing
Kelly-Marie McEWAN 3 works
Fairy-ring, Emergence part 1, part 3 and part 5
Tarn McLEAN 2 works
Topography #9
Topography #9—Globe
Chelle McINTYRE 1 work
Rash analogy
Donna MOODIE 1 work
Heartwood
Danish QUAPOOR (The Alter ego of Daniel Qualifchefski) 2 works
i am my hair
hanging by a moment

















































