Nurturing local artists
Story: April Spadina. Photos: Cody Fox
Goodness in a community comes from the nature of people who share their own generosity with others.It involves friendship, guidance, support and care and a sense of unity with like-minded people of all ages and backgrounds. These qualities are made even richer when it’s a team of volunteers who are the driving force behind the spirit of the community and this is evident at the Maryborough Regional Art Society, a 100% volunteer based organisation that encourages artistic interest in the region.
Seventy-seven years after its inception, the Art Society is a thriving community and it comes down to the dedication and support of the volunteers who keep turning up with a common goal of creating a welcoming centre of the arts. Formed in 1947 by a group of individuals with a strong interest in art, the Art Society has evolved and changed over the years, never losing sight of the main goal to support and foster artists on their artistic journey and share local art with the community and afar.
Maryborough’s close-knit art fraternity is enriched further with the relationship between Gatakers Artspace and the Art Society and often the two intersect with the goal of nurturing community art in mind. The Art Society Annual Art Exhibition held at Gatakers art gallery each year receives hundreds of entries in multiple sections with artists enticed by cash prizes and an opportunity to display their works at the prestigious exhibition.
Over the years the Art Society has been a launching pad for many artists who have gone on to have flourishing art careers, and continues to encourage and nurture artists of all ages and levels with lessons, workshops, competitions and exhibitions. With their benefactor Graham Richers generously housing the gallery for the past fourteen years in the old Wintergarden Theatre, the search is now on to find a new residence with the building going up for sale. After seventy-seven years of existence, it is clear they are sticking around. Happy to be paid in “smiles, laughs and hugs” the wonderful volunteers will continue to support the arts and share goodness to their region.
This story appears in the July 2024 edition of Fraser Coast Scene, our monthly guide to What's On across our Cultural Services venues.
The creation of this story and photography was funded by Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF). RADF is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Fraser Coast Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
