Luminous a glowing success for Gladstone Region

More than 8000 people gathered in the Gladstone Tondoon Botanic Gardens to celebrate the regions inaugural Luminous event, on Saturday night.

Also celebrating their 30th birthday, the Gardens were transformed into a mecca of light and art. Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said the event was hugely successful, drawing in larger than expected crowds.

“The numbers we recoded for on the night truly highlights the community’s want for events such as this one,” Cr Burnett said.

“Knowing the work that went into the planning and execution, and then seeing the community embrace the event as they did, that’s what makes the night hugely successful.

“I want to thank everyone who played a part in the event.”

With the huge show of community support for Luminous, Cr Burnett said the event would likely be back, bigger and better.

The event also showcased the abundance of local talent within the region. Gladstone artist Katrina Elliott’s three-metre photo luminous painting on board of a tawny frogmouth owl, Luminous Tawny, greeted guests as they walked through the gates.

“It was a fantastic new opportunity to create an installation for an audience for night time viewing,” Katrina said. “It meant I had to actually paint at night with the photo luminous paint under a black light.”

Her other contributions included Tea A’Tyre, a four-metre outdoor furniture piece made from recycled tyres and Travelling Tree, a sculpture of a tree and branches made with galvanised sheeting, recycled wire, soft drink bottles and solar lights.

Local band The Easy Tigers were also a crowd favourite.