River Kayaking…The Art of Balance… Mackay Canoe Club members on the Pioneer River Dear tomlenn@easynet.net.au, Welcome to the Creative Mackay e-bulletin 18 January – 1 February 2008 This fortnightly e-bulletin provides the latest information on news, events and opportunities about arts and culture for Mackay and region. If you would like to contribute information to the e-bulletin, please email creative@mackay.qld.gov.au Find out more about…. 1. Exhibitions, Events and Performances (Go straight to this section) 2. Training, Workshops and Meetings (Go straight to this section) 3. Work and Opportunities (Go straight to this section) 4. Grants and Funding (Go straight to this section) 5. ebulletin Tid Bits... (Go straight to this section) 6. Community Showcase (Go straight to this section)

₪ **Regional Arts Development Fund / Next Grant Closes: 30 January 2008 for projects starting after 29 February 2008 Mackay City Council in partnership with Queensland Government offers arts and cultural grants for professional arts workers, individuals and community groups from Mackay. The RADF funds one-off, short-term projects that offer professional arts, cultural and heritage opportunities. There are four grant rounds in 2007/08. More information and application forms can be found at www.mackay.qld.gov.au or by contacting the Arts Development Officer on (07) 4968 4444.

₪ Art Auction / Saturday, 8 March 2007 Sarina Shire Council and the Sarina community are holding an art auction to raise funds to establish an art gallery and studio space in the Sarina Shire. The event will provide you with the opportunity to acquire individual pieces of local artwork with wine and hors d'oeuvres included as part of the entry fee. If you are interested in attending the event or would like to donate artwork, please contact Jodie Kane on 4964 8144.

₪ People's Choice Award / Voting closes 4 February 2008 Eleven images responding to the theme New Beginnings have been selected for this year’s shortlist and the images can be viewed at an exhibition at South Bank Arbour outside the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. The vote for the People’s Choice Award of the 2007/08 Premier’s Multicultural Photographic Awards is now open. For your vote, go to www.photographicawards.qld.gov.au The winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 10 February 2008. For more information go to www.multicultural.qld.gov.au

"Multicultural Affairs Queensland - Partnering with Queenslanders to ensure harmony, mutual respect and fairness in our community."

₪ Murray Darling Palimpsest The Murray Darling Palimpsest is a contemporary visual arts event focussing on regional places that are significant for their direct engagement with issues of environmental and social sustainability. This event provides opportunities for artists to produce new works that promote discussion and debate around one of the country's most pressing environmental and social issues: the future of the Murray Darling Basin. The Murray Darling Palimpsest does this by linking artists with 'host' organisations across the Basin. In 2006, galleries and arts organisations from Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory participated, organising events that responded to the theme 'After the Flood'. The Murray Darling Palimpsest is coordinated from Mildura, Victoria. The coordinating committee determines the policy and direction for the event, however the host organisations are responsible for local coordination including communication with artists, responding to the over-arching theme from a local perspective and providing funds for local events. Planning for Murray Darling Palimpsest #7 has now commenced and are searching for 'hosts' for the 2009 event. A host is an individual or organisation that sponsors or assists one or more artists to participate in the project. The theme for 2009 will be 'Displacement'. For further information or if you are interested in being a host for the Murray Darling Palimpsest #7, contact Helen Healy, Executive Officer, Mildura Arts Festival Inc by phone 03 5021 5100, email info@helenhealy.comor visit www.mwaf.com.au

1. Exhibitions, Events and Performances… ☼ Interludes into Abstraction - Rosanne Lawton / 23 November 2007 – 26 January 2008 Rosanne Lawton populates her abstract artwork of strong and simple design pieces that compliment the modern interior. Her award winning artwork has toured throughout Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast & Port Douglas. Ambassador Hotel, Bridges Gallery, 2 Sydney Street Mackay Q 4740. Rosanne Lawton 07 49577 340, rosanne@zarart.com.au or www.myspace.com/zarart.

☼ Coalface: a look at life in the mining community / 7 December 2007 – 3 February 2008 Renowned Townsville-based artist Anneke Silver presents a series of large-scale drawings inspired by the harsh, industrial landscape of the mines surrounding the Mackay region. Local photographer Dean Whitling will exhibit commissioned, large-scale portraits of miners (alongside landscape photographs) and past Dysart resident Pam Bartley shares her drawings of the mining experience from a woman’s perspective. Also on show Collage: An Artspace Mackay Volunteers’ Exhibition Artspace Mackay volunteers present an exhibition of their work in the foyer.

☼ Vizions Photo Club Annual Exhibition / December 12 2007 - January 24 2008 Lagoons Gallery & Cafe, adjacent to the main entrance, 9 Lagoon Street, Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens. Discover Mackay and our world through the eyes of local photographers. A diverse and thought provoking exhibition! You can even caste your vote as to which image you think is the best of 2007. Vizions Photo club promotes the enjoyment and sharing of photography. The club welcomes beginners and professionals, enjoying monthly outings and learning new techniques together. For more details on the club, contact Cheryl Eagers cheryl@diamondpcs.com.au

☼ Faces and Places of the Whitsunday’s / 25 & 26 January 2008 Photographic exhibition promoting Whitsunday Shire to be incorporated with Whitsunday Shire Council’s Australia Day Celebrations. Entry forms available from Council’s Customer Service Centre. Proserpine RSL. Contact Jody Lee 49450200 jody.lee@whitsunday.qld.gov.au ☼ Australia Day Celebrations Greenmount Homestead / Saturday 26 January Open House from 9.30 – 12.30pm, Free Billy Tea and Damper, Flag Raising at 10am, Festivities continue from 2pm with the Mackay City Council and Woollam Constructions FREE Australia Day Celebration at John Breen Park. Visit www.mackay.qld.gov.au for more information. ☼ Australia Day Celebrations Mackay / Saturday 26 January Citizenship Ceremony, Flag Raising Ceremony, Australia Day Awards, Fireworks and free entertainment featuring Deborah Conway and two local support acts: Charlotte & John Boumford, and Swoon. ☼ Australia Day Sk8 Comp / Saturday 26 January John Breen Skatepark, Malcomson Street, North Mackay. Registration 2.00pm - 3.00pm Comp Starting at 3.30pm. Skateboards only. Helmets Must Be Worn. Under 18's MUST have indemnity forms signed by a Parent or Guardian. ☼ John Pielmeier’s Agnes of God / 29 February - 16 March A radiantly innocent young girl who sings with the voice of an angel is the central character of Kucom Theatre's first production for 2008. John Pielmeier's Agnes of God, tells the story of a novice nun who gives birth and insists that the child was the result of a virgin conception. When the baby is found dead in a wastepaper basket, an investigation ensues: Is Agnes a cold-blooded murderer, a holy innocent - or is she insane? Kucom's production of Agnes of God, directed by Jim Kelly, will open at the Kucom Playhouse in Shakespeare Street on Friday 29 February and run Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 16 March. For bookings contact Mackay Entertainment Centre 4957 1777. All other inquiries to Kucom Theatre 0409 980 022. ☼ 2008 Libris Awards: Australian Artists’ Books Prize exhibition / 8 February – 23 March 2008 The Libris Awards are Australia’s premier national artists’ book prize. An initiative of the Mackay City Council through Artspace Mackay, these biennial awards seek to develop awareness of the Council’s significant collection of artists’ books and to develop the collection further through the acquisition of new works by leading Australian artists working in this field. This exhibition of selected finalists’ works forms part of the overall Artspace Mackay program FOCUS ON ARTISTS’ BOOKS 4.

Also on show The foreigner in ourselves: Recent works by Clyde McGill Winner of the 2006 Libris Awards, Clyde McGill, presents an exhibition of recent works in the foyer of Artspace Mackay. McGill’s work looks at the edges, portals, the porous lines and the suffusion that occurs between the inside and the outside. Clyde McGILL They burnt my boat (Perahu) today (detail) Paper, print, drawing, fabric

☼ Pugsley Buzzard - cabaret in the foyer / Friday 8 February @ 8pm Piano player and gravel voiced singer, Pugsley Buzzard performs a rich vein of piano based music from Harlem Stride to New Orleans Funk, Jazz, Barrelhouse Blues and Modern Improvisation. His vocal quality has been compared to everyone from Louis Armstrong to Fats Waller, Tom Waits and Captain Beefheart while his piano playing shows influences as diverse as Thelonious Monk, Fats Waller, Chico Marx and Professor Longhair. Pugsley’s performances are always exciting and entertaining and delivered with vaudevillian nuance and humour. Tickets available from Mackay Entertainment Centre 4957 1777 www.mackayentertainment.com.au ☼ Exhibition of works on paper / 9 February - 29 March 2008 Works on paper by renowned Australian Printmakers Dianne Fogwell, Ron McBurnie and Euan McLeod. Artists’

Books by Wim de Vos and Adele Outteridge + Etchings by Glen Skien. Arthouse Gallery, open Wednesday to Friday 10am - 5pm + Saturday 11am - 3pm or by appointment. 148 Wood Street, Mackay, Qld. 4740. Contact: arthouse150@westnet.com.au / www.artgallerymackay.com.au

☼ 4th Australian Artists’ Books Forum / Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 February 2008 FOCUS ON ARTISTS’ BOOKS 4 PROGRAM, Mackay Entertainment Centre To book contact Artspace Mackay 4957 1722. ☼ Artspace Mackay Special Open Day / Monday 11 February 2008 Artspace Mackay. To book contact Artspace Mackay 4957 1722. ☼ New Galleries Listing: The Art Shack/Greenhills Nursery and Gifts Open Wednesday - Sunday 9am - 4pm Featuring artwork by local emerging regional artists. 410 Greenhill Road, Ilbilbie Qld 4738 Contact Rhonda Page 4950 1174

2. Training, Workshops and Conferences… ☼ Art in Country The Dreamtime Gundoo's, an Indigenous Performance Group have been successful in securing Regional Arts Development Funding to create a visual symbolism (logo) for use on their uniforms and costumes. The process followed to create the logo will tie young participants more closely to their culture via the provision of a visual art workshop with Artist and Elder of the Birra Gubba Language Group (clan group Giya from Proserpine), who will share her knowledge of Art in Country. Three workshops will be held at the Lagoons Hut, Ram Chandra Drive, Mackay. Workshop 1: Saturday 19th January, 9am to 3pm. Workshop 2: Saturday 26th January, 9am to 3pm Workshop 3: Saturday 2nd February, 9am to 3pm For more information regarding these workshops contact the Arts Development Officer,

Mackay City Council on 07-49684444 / creative@mackay.qld.gov.au The RADF is a State and Local Government Partnership to support arts & cultural development in regional Queensland. ☼ Illustration and Design The Mackay Pioneer Valley Arts Council Inc Student Festival of Fashion have secured Regional Arts Development Funding to provide a series of community based workshops specifically targeting young people to facilitate their creative skills in the illustration and design of wearable art or art to wear. Wearable Art Workshops Fashion Illustration - Pamela Wardell, FULL Artspace Mackay, 23rd & 24th January 2008, 8.30am to 3pm Wearable Art Design - Sherilyn Piccone & Mary Ede, 10 Places left Artspace Mackay & Old Town Hall 26th & 27th January 2008, 8.30am to 3pm Cost: Students $25/day + materials / Adults $75/day + materials For more information visit www.studentfestivaloffashion.com.au The RADF is a State and Local Government Partnership to support arts and cultural development in regional Queensland. ☼ Beginners African Drumming Workshop / Saturday, 26 January 2008, 2.00pm to 4.00pm This if your chance to learn the basics of playing the Djembe, for people who have never picked up a drum before and those who own a Djembe but have never learned the correct techniques. We start from scratch and move forward at a pace that suits the group. We are committed to giving you a real chance to learn the basics and build your confidence to advance you skill level. *Cost: $30 full $22 Concession. Location: to be notified when booking is made. Instructors for this workshop are Jennifer Emmett and Karen Bonham. Jennifer has been playing African Drums since 2001, she joined Zinzabar in 2003 and commenced teaching beginners in 2004. Karen has been teaching singing for 10 years and performing in Mackay for 20 years. Karen joined Zinzabar in 2006. Eric (Zinzabar Leader) will be running beginner workshops later in the year. For more information or to book your place contact handdrum@dodo.com.au / Jennifer Mobile: 0409 543 075 / Karen Mobile: 0432 944 208 ☼ Rhythm workshops – African Drumming / Series of four Saturday workshops commencing 2 February, 2pm – 3.30pm In this series or 4 workshops we will teach you how to join in and play your part in the group. You will learn some different drum parts to a rhythm and you will learn how to come in and out of the rhythm. You will experience the fun and exhilaration of playing your part to create the beat. *Cost $80 full $65 Concession. Location: To be notified when booking is made. (*Requires a minimum of 5 paid participants to commence). Instructors for these workshops are Jennifer Emmett and Karen Bonham. Jennifer has been playing African Drums since 2001, she joined Zinzabar in 2003 and commenced teaching beginners in 2004. Karen has been teaching singing for 10 years and performing in Mackay for 20 years. Karen joined Zinzabar in 2006. Eric (Zinzabar Leader) will be running beginner workshops later in the year. For more information or to book your place contact handdrum@dodo.com.au / Jennifer Mobile: 0409 543 075 / Karen Mobile: 0432 944 208 ☼ Kmeia Choral Festival Workshop / Saturday 2 Feb 2008, 8am – 4pm A Choral conducting and primary school repertoire workshop will be held with Mr. Anthony Young of Brisbane at Fitzgerald School. All welcome. Cost: $50 for non-choral festival participants / For festival participants the cost is included in your school’s nomination for the festival. Lunch, Morning and Afternoon Tea will be provided. For registration Patti 49576231/ pcourtice@vtown.com.au ☼ Term 1, Kids Art Club with Rosemary Payne: 5 – 8 years Saturday 2 February & Saturday 16 February – Saturday 15 March 2008, 10am-12pm Artspace Mackay Seminar Room $110 per child, includes materials and morning tea each week. For children 5 – 8 years

To book contact Artspace Mackay 4957 1722. ☼ Basic home food gardening / 14th Feb and 16th March A half day workshop covering basic steps to assist in the establishment of your own garden at home. Includes planting strategies, water saving techniques, key hole gardening. Cost. $30.00 members. $60.00 non members. To register contact Luke mcomgard@bigpond.net.au ☼ Term 1, Kids Art Club with Rosemary Payne: 9 – 13 years Saturday 2 February & Saturday 16 February – Saturday 15 March 2008, 2pm – 4pm Artspace Mackay Seminar Room $110 per child, includes materials and morning tea each week. For children 9 – 13 years To book contact Artspace Mackay 4957 1722. ☼ Advanced Papermaking Techniques with Tim Mosely (tbc) / Thursday 6 & Friday 7 February 2008 Mackay Town Hall, 63 Sydney Street, Mackay. To book contact Artspace Mackay 4957 1722. ☼ Advanced box-making with Glen Skien (tbc) / Thursday 6 & Friday 7 February 2008 Artspace Mackay Seminar Room, Civic Precinct, Gordon Street, Mackay To book contact Artspace Mackay 4957 1722. ☼ Footwear Skills for Work / Monday 18 February 2007 Training and work experience opportunities in Footwear repair, key cutting and engraving. Alfred Street, Fortitude Valley Brisbane. This project has been funded by the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations’ Skilling Queenslanders for Work Initiative. For more information contact Glen Farmer 0400 810 677 / glen.farmer@frats.com.au ☼ Absolute Beginners – Drawing with Irene Coburn / Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 February 2008 ARTSPACE MACKAY 2008 ADULT WORKSHOP PROGRAM This weekend workshop is for those people who have always professed a yearning to be an artist but believe that they are only capable of creating ‘stick figures’. The emphasis will be on having a go and enjoying yourself, showing that it is possible for anyone to learn how to draw. Mackay Town Hall, 63 Sydney Street, Mackay To book contact Artspace Mackay 4957 1722. ☼ Learn to Knit with Pam Hutley / Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 March, 10am – 4pm Students will learn the basics of the age-old craft of knitting in this two-day workshop. Tuition will cover: casting on; learning purl and knit stitches; decreasing and increasing; picking up dropped stitches; adding additional colours into the work and; casting off. Whilst designed as a beginners course, this workshop is also suitable for those who have had knitting tuition, but need a ‘refresher’. Fee: $110 / concession $100.00 (inc. GST). To book contact Artspace Mackay, 07 4957 1722 ☼ African Drumming Beginners Workshop / Saturday 8 March, 1.30pm-3.30pm Learn basic drumming techniques of African Drumming and the fundamentals of African Rhythms. $30.00 (concession available) Please contact Eric & Susie 49 540 820 for venue details and information Also available - Individual or small group Tuition, Intermediate classes, Bridging classes teaching a variety of African rhythms. ☼ Felting for the Tropics with Wanda Bennett / Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 March, 10am – 4pm In this two-day workshop, participants will explore different methods and uses for felt. Participants will have the opportunity to make a hanging, light-weight scarf or bag, investigating colour and texture along the way. Fee: $110 / concession $100.00 (inc. GST). Bookings essential. To book contact Artspace Mackay, 07 4957 1722

☼ Thatching / March 13th Thatching comes in many shapes and forms. A half day workshop which will be focusing on thatching using palm fronds for roofing as well as panels for walls. Cost. $30.00 members. $60.00 non members. To register contact Luke mcomgard@bigpond.net.au ☼ A threaded feast with MJ Ryan Bennett / Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 March, 10am – 4pm Using a variety of natural materials, participants will design and build their own piece of ephemeral wearable art from a fine selection of ingredients including found objects sourced from the environment to dried pulses and exotic spices. Participants are encouraged to bring along their own found objects, with personal meaning, to be included in their composition. This workshop will provide participants with basic training in using jeweller’s hand tools and drill press. Fee: $110 / concession $100.00 (inc. GST). Bookings essential. To book contact Artspace Mackay, 07 4957 1722 ☼ Introduction to Permaculture / 27 March and 3 April A 2 day workshop covering basic Permaculture principles and the conceptual plan for the Community Garden. This workshop is formulated for any volunteer wishing to become more involved in activities at the site or wishing to establish their own site at home. Cost. $50.00 members. $100.00non-members. To register contact Luke mcomgard@bigpond.net.au ☼ Collage and wax nostalgia works with Ngaio Lenz / Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 April, 10am – 4pm This two-day workshop will encourage participants to incorporate personal papers, letters, stamps etc., preferably with some history and connection, into collage and wax ‘nostalgia works’. The intention will be to show participants how to produce an intimate reflection of themselves or a loved one, or just a small collage using their own intuitive response to the items they have brought. Students will learn how to trust their instincts and consider placement of items, as well as proportion, colour, texture and balance to make something they can hang on a wall at home. Especially good for those who feel they have no painting skills, but want to make art. Fee: $110 / concession $100.00 (inc. GST). Bookings essential. To book contact Artspace Mackay, 07 4957 1722 ☼ Tropical Food Plants / 20thApril A half day workshop to discover the abundant variety of tropical food plants for this region. Learn some basic propagation techniques and locations to source stock. Cost. $30.00 members. $60.00 non-members. To register contact Luke mcomgard@bigpond.net.au ☼ Bamboo Drypoint Etching with Ruth Parry / Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 April, 10am – 4pm Developed initially for schools by New Zealand printmaker Stanley Palmer, Bamboo Drypoint Etching is an exciting technique using dried sheaths, which grow at the base of the bamboo, in place of a metal plate. After cutting these sheaths and gluing them to a baseboard, an image can be scratched in the shiny surface, enabling ink to penetrate and hold in the fibrous tissues of the organic plate when it is inked. A fantastic, non-toxic printmaking technique using natural, easily-found materials. Fee: $110 / concession $100.00 (inc. GST). Bookings essential. To book contact Artspace Mackay, 07 4957 1722

Rosemary PAYNE Watercolour (detail)

☼ Discover the wonderful world of Watercolours with Rosemary Payne / Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 May 2008 This weekend workshop aims to introduce students to basic watercolour techniques through practical demonstration and application. Materials will be explored and the practical process of watercolour application will be explained. Participants will become competent in mixing paint and using related materials. Fee: $110 / concession $100.00 (inc. GST). Bookings essential. To book contact Artspace Mackay, 07 4957 1722 ☼ Creative Writing with Brooke McReynolds / Saturday 31 May & Sunday 1 June 2008 This 2-day workshop in creative writing will take participants through a series of interactive exercises covering topics such as: getting started; styles and genres; character and voice; dialogue and description; structure and revision; poetry and; getting published. Participants will do a lot of writing themselves throughout the workshop and can expect plenty of talking, laughter and applause! For more information contact Artspace Mackay, 07 4957 1722

☼ Call for expressions of interest: Anneke Silver Workshop (Flying Arts) / March/April/May 2008 Exact dates TBA Anneke has designed a new workshop to take artists to another level. This will probably be a 3 day workshop and will be held in the Sarina Cultural Hall. Cost TBA Silk Painting 2 day workshop (Flying Arts) / April/May/June 2008 Exact Dates TBA This workshop will be held in Sarina. Cost TBA Please contact Marilyn Bliss to register your interest in either of these workshops

07 4956 2618 / sarinaarts@hotmail.com ☼ New Listing: Art Classes with Margaret Burgess / Adult classes commence 27 February and run through to 2 April, Wednesday Evenings 6 – 9pm Mackay Town Hall, 63 Sydney Street, Mackay. Children’s classes commence 3 March, Monday afternoons 3.30 - 5.15pm, Mackay Art Society Hall, Snow Wright Court, Beaconsfield. To register your interest or for more information contact Margaret Burgess 0401 834 829 / robandmarg@orion-online.com.au ☼ New Listing: Bucasia Beach Quilters Inc / Wednesdays, 9.15am - 12noon. Come along and meet with other Patchwork and Quilters. Cost is $2 per morning, held at the Bucasia Beach Community Hall, Butler St. Bucasia. Morning tea is provided. Contact Helen 4955 7098. ☼ New Listing: Circus Classes / Mondays Wednesdays and Saturdays Open to all ages and abilities. Come learn acrobatic balance ,trapeze, rope, hula hooping, juggling, stilt walking, poi ,staff twirling and fire twirling. All in a safe and fun environment. For venue and class times contact Tammy, Sensory Circus Tribe 49548431 / 0413506804 ☼ New Listing: Latin Dancing / Friday Nights @ 7.30pm till late. Learn to dance some of the most popular dance styles after Salsa - the cheeky Cha Cha, Argentine Tango, Samba, romantic rhumba or Jive every Friday Night for FREE at McGuires Hotel, Wood Street (Rear Courtyard). David & Julie Seymour. 0415 729230 / 0429 461 791. dj4dance@bigpond.net.au ☼ New Listing: Mackay Choral Society Community Choir / Monday Nights, 7:30pm No audition required just a love of singing. Cost: $5.00. Mackay Choral Society, Snow Wright Court Beaconsfield. Contact Jeanette Oberg 4942 2575 / info@mackaychoralsociety.org.au ☼ Winter in the Tropics / 6 - 11 July 2008 Winter in the Tropics is a six-day drawing workshop with Geoff Dupree. Geoff Dupree is a well-known and respected representational painter who has acquired a considerable reputation as a drawing and painting teacher. He designed a highly successful drawing program in the Faculty of Art and Design a Monash University. The workshop will be held at the James Cook University in Cairns from Sunday 6 to Friday 11 July 2008, and cost $690 full fee for six days. A list of materials needed will be received once registered. For further information, contact Margaret Genever 07 4093 8835 or genevers@bigpond.com

Please see the Art is in Calendar for an extensive list of weekly workshops. If you would like to receive a copy of the Art is in Calendar, please send your mailing address via email to creative@mackay.qld.gov.au.

3. Work and Opportunities…

☼ Seeking Expressions of Interest: Arts At The Heart Regional Arts Conference / Submissions by 31 January 2008 Proposals are being sought from artists and those who work in the arts, including volunteers For more information visit http://www.artattheheart.com.au/ah/19.asp and download the Information Sheet. ☼ Position vacant at artworkers - trainee program officer / Applications close 5pm, Monday 4 February 2008 Artworkers is currently seeking a suitable candidate for the position of Trainee Program Officer. If you are looking for a leg up into the arts industry, this job may be for you. Ideally you will either: be under 25 years of age, be long-term unemployed, be from a non-english speaking background, be over the age of 40 years, or be a woman looking to re-enter the workforce.. For the position description visit www.artworkers.org If you require additional information, or would like to discuss your application, either email us at info@artworkers.org or call us on 07 3215 0850. ☼ Call for expressions of interest / Closing 5th Feb Kmeia 16th Regional Choral Festival Community Choir is to be held on 16/17th March. Expressions of interest to sing in the community choir are being sort. To register your interest contact: lindajensen@optusnet.com.au ☼ Call for expressions of interest: Discover Sarina Festival / 23 May to 31 May 2008. Gala Opening of the Sarina Art Extravaganza followed by seven days of arts, crafts and community workshops. Anybody wishing to hold or attend a workshop please contact the secretary Anne Smith 47566227/ discoversarina@optusnet.com.au ☼ Smart State Designer of the Year / Entries close 22 February 2008 Queensland’s designers are encouraged to apply for the 2008 Smart State Designer of the year award. This award recognises a designer’s work, their leadership and commitment to design excellence and is part of a larger awards program run by the Queensland branch of the Design Institute of Australia which has been renamed QDOS (Queensland Designers On Show). The prize is a $5000 travel bursary. For more information visit www.qdosawards.com

☼ Sarina Art Extravaganza, 23 - 31 May / Entries close Friday 25 April 2008 With prizes worth more than $14,000 this event is well worth entering. There are 13 adult categories and one for youth. If you expected to receive an entry form automatically last year and didn't it was because there is now a different group organising it; the Sarina Arts Council. Brochure and entry form available from Marilyn Bliss 4956 2618 / sarinaarts@hotmail.com ☼ Max Afford Playwright’s Award / Closes Friday 4 July 2008 The Max Afford Playwrights’ Award was established to promote interest in Australian drama and to encourage the writing of plays in Australia, to help and give incentive to young writers of plays for either stage, TV or films. The Award is an initiative of the late Thelma May Afford in memory of her husband, Max Afford, who in her will established a fund to offer a periodical prize to provide young writers with a reward enabling them to improve their creative writing and through the above means to improve the general public's appreciation of Australian drama and

playwrights. For more information about Max Afford visit www.trust.com.au/assets/contentFiles/About_Max_Afford.pdf The 2008 winner will receive: • $7,500 cash prize; and • Expenses to a maximum of $2,500 for registration, accommodation and airline tickets to attend a reading of the winning play at the annual Australian National Playwrights' Conference following the announcement of the winner. Entries close Friday 4 July 2008 and winners are announced late 2008 To download a 2008 application form visit www.trust.com.au/assets/contentFiles/MaxAfford_2008Form_A4.pdf If you wish to be updated on milestones for this Scholarship send your email address with "Max Afford" as the subject to: psalter@cauzgroup.com.au For further information regarding this Scholarship please contact: Cauz Group Pty Limited Telephone: (02) 9144 2415 Email: trustawards@cauzgroup.com.au

4. Grants and Funding ☼ Regional Arts Development Fund / Next Grant Closes: 30 January 2008 for projects starting after 29 February 2008 Mackay City Council in partnership with Queensland Government offers arts and cultural grants for professional arts workers, individuals and community groups from Mackay. The RADF funds one-off, short term projects that offer professional arts, cultural and heritage opportunities. There are four grant rounds in 2007/08. More information and application forms can be found at www.mackay.qld.gov.au or by contacting the Arts Development Officer on (07) 4968 4444. ☼ Queensland Events Regional Development Program (QERDP) / Round 14 is now open - applications close on February 1, 2008. The program is state-wide initiative created by the State Government that specifically invests in events located outside the Brisbane metropolitan area. We are committed to enhancing existing events in regional Queensland, as well as assisting in the establishment of new events,” he said. For more information and advice on the QERDP application process, applicants are encouraged to contact the funding program secretariat in Townsville on 1300 881 255 or visit www.queenslandevents.com.au. ☼ Funding Opportunity through Festivals Australia & Festivals Australia Regional Residencies Closes Friday 15 February 2008, for projects beginning after 1 July 2008. For further information contact Lois Wishart Lindsay on (02) 6271 1922, Program Officers Jane Fleming or Juliet Sera on (02) 6271 1661 or (02) 6271 1931, or email: festivals.australia@dcita.gov.au. ☼ Buzz Grants / 1st round closes 3 March 2008 The Foundation for Young Australians is calling for applications from young musicians for Buzz Grants. Buzz Grants offer flexible support for young musicians, sound artists and music-related arts workers through grants of up to $2,500. Individuals aged 12 - 26, or groups with a majority of people aged 12 - 26 involved in a music or sound project may apply for a Buzz grant. This can be done with the support of an organisation. In 2008 there will be two rounds for Buzz Grants. Applications to be considered in the first round will need to be received by 3 March 2008. More information about Buzz Grants can be found by logging onto www.youngaustralians.org or calling (03) 9670 5436. Buzz is a project of the Australian Government's Young and Emerging Artists' Initiative, through the Music Board of the

Australia Council for the Arts, and the Australian Government arts funding and advisory body.

☼ Regional Arts Fund / Closing date: Monday March 10 2008 for projects commencing after 30 June 2008 to be completed by 31 December 2008. How can I find out more? Information is available from the relevant regional arts organisation in your state or territory. These organisations are artsACT, Arts NT, Country Arts SA, Country Arts WA, Queensland Arts Council, Regional Arts NSW, Regional Arts Victoria, and Tasmanian Regional Arts. Links to each are at the top of the page at – http://www.dcita.gov.au/arts_culture/arts/regional_arts_fund ☼ Q150 Community Funding Program / Closes 13 April 2008 The Q150 Program aims to encourage all Queensland communities to undertake activities and projects that celebrate and commemorate Queensland's 150th anniversary in a way that reflects the unique culture, heritage and aspirations of their own community. The Q150 Community Funding Program is a $4 million grants program open to not-for-profit incorporated community organisations, local councils, schools, and tertiary institutions throughout Queensland. The Q150 Community Funding Program is now open and closes on 13 April 2008. To download the funding guidelines and application form, visit www.q150.qld.gov.au. Applicants can apply for between $2,000 - $10,000. For further information, phone (toll-free) 1800 502 419. ☼ Siganto Travel Scholarship / Applications open Monday 14 April The biennial bursary offers emerging visual arts, craft and design practitioners the opportunity to expand their professional development through travel. Funds up to the value of $7000 are available for travel that will support an individual's career development. Examples of projects funded by the Scholarship include (but are not limited to) attendance at international and interstate conferences, residencies and masterclasses, and international research projects used to access resources unavailable in Australia. Rub shoulders with the rich and famous at the Venice Biennale, undertake a photography residency in Los Angeles, or learn about contemporary indigenous painting in central Australia. For more information on applications visit www.artworkers.org

5. ebulletin Tid Bits… Some Interesting stuff happening in other towns… Rockhampton Bountiful Exhibition Launch / Friday 1 February, 6pm – 8pm Bountiful, the development of a collection, A Rockhampton Art Gallery exhibition to be launched by Councillor Rose Swadling at the Rockhampton Art Gallery. RSVP by Tuesday 29 January 49277129 gallery@rcc.qld.gov.au Brisbane

ME YOU WE THEM: A new exhibition by Brisbane based artist Krista Berga re-invents the works of 20th Century poets through word poetry. Lvl 1, State Library of Queensland, Stanley Place, South Bank. Free artist talk 6-7pm Friday 15 February. Exhibition ends March 28. 07 3840 766, www.slq.gov.au / www.artworkers.org

One of the many ‘word art’ creations from Krista Berga’s I ME YOU WE THEM exhibition at the State Library of Queensland. Natural Instincts Capturing the beauty of nature through brush strokes, New Farm artist Nicola Chatham will be revealing her vibrant works in a solo exhibition opening from 6:30pm Feb 13. Until 13 Mar. In-Transit Gallery, 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton. 07 3215 0850, www.artworkers.org Wilson HTM National Art Prize Exhibition: Who has won the $10 000 prize? See all the works of the finalists at Jan Manton from Saturday 5 April – Friday 25 April. 59 Melbourne St, South Brisbane. For more information on the award visit www.artworkers.org

6. Community Showcase… Working on an interesting arts project? Been somewhere or done something you would like to share with our arts community? Email creative@mackay.qld.gov.au to make a submission for inclusion in the Creative Mackay ebulletin’s “Community Showcase”. Relevant photographs are welcomed for inclusion with your submissions

SUBMISSIONS If you would like to contribute to Creative Mackay please email the details to creative@mackay.qld.gov.au. The deadline for the next issue is Wednesday 30 January 2008. SUBSCRIPTION TO CREATIVE MACKAY You have received this e-bulletin as a subscriber to the Creative Mackay newsletter. If you have received this e-bulletin from someone else and you would like to subscribe please provide your name and email address to creative@mackay.qld.gov.au or 4968 4444. If you no longer wish to receive this ebulletin please email creative@mackay.qld.gov.au with UNSUBSCRIBE in the heading. Mackay City Council does not guarantee the accuracy of information published in the Creative Mackay e-bulletin. Views and information expressed in the Creative Mackay e-bulletin are not endorsed by Mackay City Council. A copy of Mackay City Council's privacy policy is available at http://www.mackay.qld.gov.au This email was sent by Mackay City Council, PO Box 41, Mackay QLD 4740, Ph: 07 4968 4444 Email: creative@mackay.qld.gov.au For further information please contact the Arts Development Officer at Mackay City Council.