Local Artists Create Exhibition That Celebrates Natural Wonder

'Ways of Seeing: Gympie Messmate Park', will be on display at the Gympie Regional Gallery from Saturday, 28 November to Saturday 23 January 2021. This exhibition embodies history and conservation, and celebrates the Gympie Messmate (Eucalyptus cloeziana), which grows in the Gympie region.

This exhibition shares the creativity and passion of a group of local artists that have been meeting at the gallery for over 15 years, whose works are inspired by Messmate Park, which is a dedicated 10‐acre reserve at Kia Ora with a very healthy supply of Messmates.

This area, which was originally full of vegetation, was subjected to heavy deforestation in the 1950s due to farming. However, local councillors Mr WN (Nils) Buchanan, and Mr Arthur Portas assisted in transferring ownership of this land to the Queensland Government, and is now preserved by the ongoing work of volunteers and Gympie District Landcare.

Artists that have contributed to this amazing exhibition include Chris Williams, Christina Croft, Denise Hickey, Don Cameron, Jean McAuley, Jeanette Parnell, Judy George, Marcia Parker, Margaret Neilson, Nonie Metzler, Pat Sutton and Tess Stuart, with the exhibition being curated by Sunshine Coast artist Anne Harris.

During this exhibition there will be the opportunity to meet at Messmate Park for a beautiful guided tour. There will also be interactive demonstrations in the gallery.

Entry to the Gympie Regional Gallery at 39 Nash Street is free, with opening hours from 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday.

For more information, visit www.gympie.qld.gov.au/gallery or call 5481 0733.