ENTRY FORMS - EXTENSION to 19th May

32nd Annual Art Exhibition 
Entries now closed

$5,000 plus in prize money up for grabs

Giant Spotted Sea Cucumber Sculpture a Hoax ‹(•¿•)›

Is this what a Giant Spotted Sea Cucumber Sculpture would look like? 

Don't worry!  Not going to happen!

Nicole Jakins - RADF Committee - is asking local artists and Cooktowner's to give feedback on public art for the Community Events Centre.

Any ideas? What would you like to see as public art in, on or around the centre? Think of things for the grounds, landscape, walls, spaces etc.

Go to the Community Events Centre Blog to leave comments and suggestions.

** Click on Comments at left to enlarge and read  **

Giant Spotted Sea Cucumber Sculpture for Events Centre ? ? ? ? ! ! ! No!

If you’re happy with the idea of installing a contemporary sculpture depicting a giant spotted Sea Cucumber outside the new Events Centre, then this message isn’t for you…

However if you’re not that fussed about this idea - then Cook Shire Community Events Centre would really be chuffed if you were able to give feedback on what public ....art you would like to see at the new centre.

This is an opportunity for local artists to have their say about possible art installations on the grounds and/or exterior walls/interior space of the building. Your feedback is vital.

Please…mull it over and get back to us. Email your ideas or make comments online at http://cookeventscentre.blogspot.com where the floor plans and concept designs for the centre are available. You can also jot down some notes [rough sketches would be fabulous] and slip them under the door of the Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery at 125 Charlotte Street.

Thanks for your time. Warm regards
Nicole Jakins Regional Arts Development Fund [RADF] Committee Member www.purpleshoes.com.au (in progress)

Guurrbi Tours, Cooktown: Yirmbal - The Creation Story

Guurrbi Tours, Cooktown: Yirmbal - The Creation Story

Judy Pomroy Acrylic Art Workshop Cooktown April 2010

Some of the acrylic paintings produced at Judy Pomroy's Acrylic Art Workshop in Cooktown. 

At the time these photos were taken the paintings were yet to be completed.  The close up pictures show what participants 'found' in a textured, coloured background created in stage one of the process.  When a decision was made the subject was blocked in and further enhanced by building up layers, contrast, highlights and form.

Judy Pomroy Acrylic Art Workshop!

The Judy Pomroy Acrylic Art Workshop held in Cooktown at the Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery was a great success.

All the art work produced was exciting and inventive.

Judy showed us how to use all types of acrylic mediums and painting techniques to create interesting and textural backgrounds as the basis for a found painting.

Have a look at more photos pf the paintings on Cooktown Art Facebook album.  The paintings are not completed at the time the photos were taken but it certainly gives you an idea.

Elsie Meyer and Betsy Carpenter Retrospective Exhibition

Now on at the Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery 125 Charlotte Street, Cooktown, an exhibition showcasing the paintings of Elsie Meyer and Betsy Carpenter.  Members of the Cooktown School of Art Society over many decades, Elsie and  Betsy passed away last year.  They are missed by fellow artists.  Over the years they contributed so much to the success of the art society and volunteered their time to run exhibitions and art workshops.  See the paintings of local scenes completed over the years at Cooktown Art on Facebook
Some paintings are for sale.

Flying Arts Workshop

Rain affected the turn out to the Cooktown Flying Arts Workshop 'Project Belonging' but those who attended enjoyed discussions with artists Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan.  Working together a  layered cube sculpture was created to demonstarte the process.

Alfredo and Isabel have held successful exhibitions of 'Project Belonging' where cube sculptures in the hundreds are used to build a walk through structure. 

Hopevale and Rossville children enjoyed the 'In Flight Art Workshops' with good numbers attending.

Paul Brinkman Director Cairns Regional Gallery 2010 Art Judge

The Cooktown School of Art Society  CSAS has recently secured Paul Brinkman - Director of the prestigious Cairns Regional Art Gallery as judge of this years’ 32nd Annual Art Exhibition held in conjunction with the Cooktown Discovery Festival.

Paul is charged with managing the largest regional gallery in Far North Queensland, servicing an area that encompasses Cape York and the Torres Strait. Having 13 specialist staff, the gallery is recognised as one of Queensland’s most entrepreneurial regional galleries.

Paul’s tertiary qualifications include a Bachelor of Secondary Education in Art and Design, a Graduate Diploma in Management (Arts) and a Masters of Management (Arts and Cultural Management) through the University of South Australia. In 2005, he was selected by the Gordon Darling Foundation to participate in the prestigious Museum Leadership Program through the University of Melbourne’s Melbourne Business School.

Spokesperson for the CSAS Diana Burns said that “We’re thrilled to have someone of this stature come on board, raising the profile of the exhibition.  We’re equally pleased that Paul has seen that this community arts event is worth supporting and look forward to utilising his expertise as an arts judge”.

The Cook Shire Council has also pledged its support, by kindly donating the $1,000 prize for the Cook Shire Council Award, in which a painting depicting a recognisable scene of the Cook Shire will be acquired for its collection.

With a substantial prize pool of over $5,000, artists are encouraged to put their entries of painting, watercolour, sculpture and textiles in by Tuesday 11th May.  For entry forms go to: www.cooktownart.com.au, email cooktownart@bigpond.com.or phone 07 40 695 322.

Cooktown Local News - This Week Heather Willcox

Local artist, Heather Willcox took up a brush and started painting five years ago. Before this she was used to pottery but when she branched out into painting she discovered a relaxing pastime. Trying the mediums of acrylic, pastel and oils she started producing representational works that many admire. She is pleased if the works sell and is happy to pass on and share her interest at weekly painting get togethers at her home on Wednesday between 2 and 4pm. If anyone would like to join the Wednesday Art Group phone Heather on 40695691. Heather is a member of the Cooktown School of Art Society and the Cooktown Creative Arts Association and volunteers her time to assist both organisations. You can meet Heather at the Old Railway Building Arts and Craft Shop on Tuesdays. These photos of Heathers art works speak for themselves!

32nd Annual Art Exhibition 2010

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Cooktown School of Art Society  32nd Annual Art Exhibition 2010  Opening Night and Awards Presentations Saturday 5th June at Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery Categories Entry Form and Conditions of Entry Completed entry form in by Tuesday 11th May 2010 at 5pm WHEN: Exhibition Sunday 6th June to Monday 14th June 2010 WHERE: Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery 125 Charlotte Street Cooktown WHAT:  Judged Art Award Categories in eleven sections Elizabeth Guzsely Memorial Award for Best In Show Over $5,000 in prizes HOW:  Exhibition opening night Saturday 5th June 2010 Art Judge Paul Brinkman Director Cairns Regional Art Gallery WHO:  Cooktown School of Art Society Contact cooktownart@bigpond.com Ph 07 4069 5322 (office not always manned) ENTRY FORMS? Cooktown Library Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery (not always open) Cooktown Art Website - download and print - click link above Please read the conditions of entry re sizes, presentation, transport and limit of liability.

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Home Grown Talent Turning Heads

Cooktown Local News
Art Buzz Column
Wednesday 3rd February 2009

In May 2009 the new Hopevale Arts and Cultural Centre Nganthanun Bamawi Bayan Gallery opened.  The same year three Hope Vale artists, Evelyn McGreen, Joyce Jacko and Phylomena Naylor, graduated from Tropical North Qld TAFE having completing a Cert 4 in Arts.     Evelyn is working towards a Diploma in Visual Arts.

Evelyn McGreen is a Guguu Yimithirr woman of the Thupi Warra clan. She is the daughter of Roy and May Dick, who were moved away from Hope Vale mission by American forces as a precaution during World War II. Born in Woorabinda, Queensland n 1942, her family moved back to Hope Vale in the early 1950s. Evelyn is an accomplished basket weaver and has practiced and taught traditional arts and crafts her whole life.

Recently her art caught the national attention of collectors and curators resulting in an exhibition titled Wawu Bajin - Spirit Baskets at Fireworks Gallery in Newstead Brisbane 4 March to 10 April 2010.

The hand coloured lino cut prints produced in collaboration with Theo Tremblay and Paloma Ramos at Canopy Art-space Cairns and the Hopevale Arts and Cultural Centre show eight woven basket designs.

Manager of Hopevale Arts and Cultural Centre, Troy Dennis, says that these art works were first launched at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in August 2009.

The print folio was purchased by Parliment House Canberra for their permanent collection and by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin and can be viewed and purchased at the Hope Vale Arts and Cultural Centre

Evelyn is now working at Canopy Arts-space with master printer Theo Tremblay on a suite of etchings to go into the 2010 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.

Any arty news?
Contact Faye's Mobile 0434356362 or email cooktownart@bigpond.com
Also check on line at Website http://cooktownart.com.au/ or Blog http://cooktownart.blogspot.com/

Art Opportunities

FOR INFORMATION RE BOOKINGS  Email Cooktown Art via web site http://cooktownart.com.au/
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Flying Arts Workshop titled 'Project Be-Longing' with artists Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan will be held on Saturday 27th March from 10am to 4pm at the Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery.  Places limited to 15 so book early. 

The workshop will explore the experience of travel, relocation and reorientation.  Participants are encouraged to bring a collection of their personal items and create conceptually rich unified sculptures. The box shaped sculptures contain layers of precisely arranged personal possessions such as clothing, toy cars, books, photos, bags and shoes.  Placement, installation and individual stories will be explored.  The artists will work with participants to transform their possessions into 15 sculptures which will then be exhibited in the gallery.


Painting Class with Elizabeth Johns starts from 20th February to 13the March to run over four Saturdays from 1:30pm to 4:30pm.  Cost of $10 per person.  Bring your own art materials. The class will cover the basics of colour, composition, and perspective and will encourage students to unleash their creativity painting from still life,  photos, outside (landscape) and their own imagination. 

The RADF funded Judy Pomroy Weekend Mixed Media Painting Workshop will be held on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th April at the Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery.

To see Judy's work see web site: http://www.judyzart.com/

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Local Art & Craft Shop - SALE Now On!

In January 1991 a public gathering led to the formation of the Cooktown Creative Arts Association.  Their first meeting was on 13th February, 1991.

Many workshops and classes have been held over the years, including design, drawing, wood carving, poetry, art history, painting, life drawing, silk painting and stained glass to name a few.

In the beginning classes were held at the school, CWA hall, members’ homes and Gungarde hall.  After the enormous success of an exhibition of local art and craft run by the Cooktown Regional Action Group, the group took on the Art-space in lower ground floor of Kindergarten.

In September 2001 the Kindy moved so CCAA obtained the lease and the new Art and Craft Shop was open!  Located at the Old Cooktown Railway Station in Charlotte Street it is staffed by artists and volunteers.  The Art-space beneath is in use for workshops and with a gas kiln now installed, for firing pottery.

The shop provides local artists with a source of income, as well as a wonderful venue to showcase their talents.

Wood work, furniture, paintings, jewellery, stained glass, quilts, baskets, silk paintings, T-shirts, post cards, etched glass and photographs are tastefully presented in this space.

Friendly staff are at hand to welcome customers as they browse through the shop.  Supporting local arts and crafts is easy with such a marvelous range produced.

Meetings are 4.30pm the last Friday of each month.  Artspace is available for use.  Ph 4069 5794

Current SALE has 25% off yellow spot items!  

Includes cane baskets, jewellery, timber furniture, mirrors etc.

Also new books have arrived in store!

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Photos on Photosynth Website

Go to Photosynth Website to view Kid's APT on Tour photos ina different way - like a 3D display.  Cool!

Kid's APT participants - Saturday 16th January 2010

Kid's APT on tour in Cooktown! What a Great Day!

On Saturday 16 January 2010, Cooktown hosted a free day of art activities simultaneously with the Queensland Art Gallery, as part of the Kids’ APT Summer Festival.  Website: http://qag.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/current/apt6/kids_apt/kids_apt_on_tour.  The Kids’ APT on Tour featured interactive activities for children and families created by a number of artists in the exhibition, including Ayaz Jokhio, Minam Apang and Runa Islam. All the materials to create the art using the different themes was provided free of charge and posted to Cooktown by the Queensland Art Gallery Gallery of Modern Art.  The projects were developed to reflect the themes of the Asia PacificTriennial exhibition and offered children and families insights into contemporary art across the Asia Pacific region.  The children who attended in Cooktown were enthralled and excited by the many art activities.  Creativity was very high and the results as seen in the photos show that the children produced many exciting and fun art works.  The adults were just as interested in participating and creating.  The day was a lot of fun.If you are able to open this site at Photosynth Kids APT it is also worth a look.

The Art Buzz Column Cooktown Local News Wednesday 13th January 2010

Cooktown Local News

ART BUZZ COLUMN

Lucky Cooktown is hosting the Kids’ APT on Tour program from the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art's sixth Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art.
Everyone with kids is welcome to attend a day of free activities at the Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery, from 10.30am-2.30pm Saturday, January 16.
The session will include drawing, craft and interactive activities developed by leading artists from Asia, the Pacific and Australia. 
This offers children and families insights into contemporary art and lets you express your creativity in new and exciting ways.
Activities include making a thaumatrope (optical toy); paper fruit language puzzle; a plane from everyday materials and found objects; a picture using Asian scripts; self portraits and a Funky Buddha. 
If we get a DVD/TV and computer on the day, we will view art films H the Happy Robert 2009 by Ho Tzu Nyen; Elsewhere and Trail by Hiraki Sawa, and a interactive computer program Patterns of Infinity by Monir Shahroudy.
With this kids event, we will be re-opening the Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery for 2010, following the Christmas and New Year closure to allow our hard-working volunteers to have a holiday. 
As we are staffed by volunteers we can't always open the doors every day, so any locals interested in manning the gallery for a couple of hours will be welcomed with enthusiasm!

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Lea Stevens in Art Buzz Column in Cooktown Local News

'Art Buzz' weekly column inaugural edition, in Cooktown Local News

By Faye Pini.
Ph 0434 356 362
Email cooktownart@bigpond.com

Wednesday December 16th 2009

Artist's First Solo Exhibition On Show

Local artist Lea Stevens is gaining increasing recognition for her paintings of animals and the environment as related to her indigenous cultural heritage. 

As a member of the Cooktown School of Art Society and volunteer at the Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery she has been successful with sales of her paintings and attracted a lot of interest from locals and visitors to Cooktown.

Now she has her first solo exhibition titled 'From the Land, Through the Rainforest, to the Sea'.  Two paintings sold on opening night, Friday 4 December and the exhibition is showing until Tuesday 19 January, at the UMI Art Gallery Martyn St, Cairns.

Lea comes from a large family of nine children with links through her father to the mbarbarum and Yedinjie groups and through her mother to the  KuKu Yalanji, and Guguu Yimidthirr. 

She first took an interest in art in the 1980's after watching family members painting and making artifacts. 

Lea says her uncle Joe and aunt Betty ran an Aboriginal arts and crafts shop, Anuaka, where they sold all their art work.  They encouraged her to paint boomerangs and clap-sticks and the tools the ancestors used.  She observed older cousins and local murris making and painting these artifacts. 

In 2007, Lea picked up a paint brush and started painting with acrylics on canvas. 

At the Naidoc celebration in Cairns Lea's sister helped to get a stall together where they sold family art works,  It was a real confidence boost when her art work sold to tourists and locals, and one of her paintings was purchased by a gallery owner. 

Lea then had a showing of her work at the Cooktown Art Festival, and later at Cardwell’s Land and Sea Conference Festival where she also did well.   

With the opportunity to showcase her paintings in Cairns, Lea's artistic career continues to develop.  Any locals who have the opportunity should call into UMI Art Gallery and support a talented new local artist.

Meanwhile, Cooktown's Elizabeth Guzsely Galley is closed for the summer and will reopen on January 16.

As volunteers are on holiday or out of town we don't have the staff to open on a regular basis - but the galley can open for a group that needs a place to meet or is interested in running an event. 

The gallery is in the centre of town, has a small kitchen area, tables and chairs, toilets and parking out the back. 

Anyone who wishes to make use of the gallery for a community event please phone me on  0434 356 362 or email cooktownart@bigpond.com as the members are open to other groups in town using the venue.  And please contact me with any and all 'art' news for this weekly column.

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'Art Buzz' in Cooktown Local News

Look out for the weekly 'Art Buzz' column in the Cooktown Local News!  

Reports on all things art related by Faye Pini will start this week.

Thanks go to editor Narelle Hine for recent articles that assisted the Cooktown School of Art Society with publicity.  This increased the community response and support at our AGM and planning forum.  With increase in membership numbers and a fresh managemet team in place we've been reinvigorated for the coming year.  The previuos three years have been filled with achievements.  We look forward to 2010 being just as eventful!

Approximately 1400 copies of the Cooktown Local News are distributed every Wednesday throughout Cooktown, Hope Vale, Rossville, Wujal Wujal, Bloomfield, Ayton, Marton, Port Douglas, Mossman, Cairns, Lakeland Downs/Laura, Mt Carbine/Mt Molloy, Mareeba and Coen, plus to subscribers across Australia and overseas.  

So if you are a local artist or have an interest in art and have a art story or event that you'd like kown then contact Faye Pini per mobile 0434356362 or e-mail me via our website at http://cooktownart.com.au/

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Christmas Lunch at Shadows Restaurant

Cooktown School of Art Society held Christmas lunch amidst the serenity of the tropical rainforest gardens at Shadows Restaurant.  With the owners and hosts Bruce and Peter we had a truly fine dining experience at this idyllic hide-away.

See their Web Site

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In Cooktown - 16th January 2010 Kids APT One Day On Tour

 

Cooktown School of Art Society has arranged with the Queensland Art Gallery Of Modern Art (GOMA) to show a Kids’ Asia Pacific Triennal - APT - on tour program as part of the Summer Festival.  This will be at our gallery.  It involves a "one day program of highlights to be held throughout the state.  Regional galleries will host a free day of activities simultaneously with the Queensland Art Gallery.  Saturday 16 January 2010 between 10.30am and 2.30pm". 

Kids’ APT on Tour features interactive activities for children and families created by a number of artists in the exhibition. The exhibition offers children and families insights into contemporary art across the Asia Pacific region.

 

See our listing - "Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery, Cooktown" on the Queensland Art Gallery Web Site by clicking this link - Kids APT on Tour Venues

 

This should be a great event to hold in Cooktown and to get kids involved on the day.  As GOMA sends us information I'll post it to this blog. 

 

Cooktown was going to participate in 2008 APT which was the ‘Andy Warhol Summer Festival – Queensland’ held on 19 January 2008.  We also missed the chance to host ‘Kids’: Contemporary Australia on Tour’ held on 19 January 2009 so now we are involved for 2010 we are hoping this will be successful so we will be able to continue to host Kid's APT on Tour in the future!

Judy Pomroy Week-End Art Workshop April 2010

Cooktown School of Art Society had obtained RADF funding to put on a week-end Art Workshop in April 2010 by well known professional artist  Judy Pomroy  


Judy's enthusiastic and innovative approach to painting techniques inspire students in her classes.  Judy will show you that it is never too late to start to paint.  Her philosophy is that art is a shared experience.

Her paintings have been successfully exhibited in venues on the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sydney and have found their way into private collections throughout NSW, QLD and Canada.

You will need to book to attend as numbers will be limited.  Once bookings open - see the adverts and flyers in 2010 - you will be given a list of materials needed for the course and the fees which we keep as low as we are able so aspiring artists have the opportunity to attend.

General Meeting Minutes On Cooktown Art Web Site

Hi members and those interested.  Minutes of our General Meetings and Planning Forum Ideas list can be viewed on our Cooktown Art Web Site at http://cooktownart.com.au/about_us.html by scrolling down this page until you see the headings -  'Meetings' and 'Planning Sessions Ideas' you will be able to click on the document link and the pdf document will load.  You can save it or print it for your own record.  Also it will help us save postage and printing costs if you view the minutes on-line!  Go green!

Recognition for local artist Margaret McCosh

The talents of local artist Margaret McCosh have been recognised by Artist's Palette magazine.  Margaret's feature article can be seen in edition No. 79 which is now available in newsagents or if you'd like to subscribe to this excellent artists magazine go to the web site at http://www.woodlandspublishing.com.au/ap/ and follow the links.

When she was approached by the magazines editor and asked to do a painting demonstration and article for publication Margaret gave this a lot of thought.  The results speak for themselves and her acrylic painting demonstration of Caladiums from her garden is a delightful work and an easy project for the beginner artist.

Colour Theory Art Workshop - Week 2

Today we continued our colour theory art workshop.  Using primary, secondary and tertiary colours and black and white we mixed a range of different hues, shades and tints.  We also did a tonal scale chart from white to black with each participant choosing one colour and trying to do at least 18 values.  This was a very interesting exercise and demonstrated the patience needed to work out correct proportions of pigment to white or black to create the required value.  We also did a 7 X 5 grid mixing tertiary colours through a range of values.  Elizabeth has been making us work!  Very good for developing our art skills.

Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery November 2009 - Art On Display

In Cooktown we have great local artists who are able to display their paintings in the gallery.  Recently a colour theme was used to re-arrange the art works.  The public feedback has all been positive.  It is amazing that something as simple as the positioning of a painting alongside another work can highlight and enhance the works.  Having this colour flow has re-invigorated the paintings on display and the visitors to the gallery are enjoying the art!

Colour Theory Art Workshop

Colour Theory Art Workshop

Colour Theory Art Workshop by Elizabeth Johns held in Elizabeth Guzsely Gallery on Saturday afternoon 7th November 2009.  This was the first of three sessions for beginner and established artists.