Sustainable art workshops to flock Wetlands Weekend

Turning recycled bottles into colourful fish sculptures and jewellery to forging metal by fire into a masterpiece will be among the activities at the Isaac region’s award-winning nature festival this 11-13 June.

Eight artists from across the state are set to converge to St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend to showcase sustainable creative living.

One of the artists is acclaimed First Nations artist Patrick Thaiday formerly of the internationally renowned Bangarra Dance Theatre who will teach three exclusive indigenous contemporary dance classes.

Isaac Regional Council Acting Mayor Kelly Vea Vea said through arts and cultural practice, our region’s people create, connect, celebrate, champion and cultivate our communities.

“When we talk about the value of arts and culture, we always start with its intrinsic value,” Cr Vea Vea said.

“This is what helps feed, power and build liveable communities. Arts and culture can energise our lives and power our emotional world.”

Woorinbinda-based Kulgoodah Dancers will perform during the weekend, Margaret Burgess of Bloomsbury will hold workshops to teach which marine and household plastics are suitable for making jewellery with and Noel Giles of Giles Blacksmithing will be on hand to show his craft.

There will be free range crochet techniques by Tracey Robb from Mackay and Flaggy Rock artist Sophie Pate will conduct basic leathercraft workshops for key chains and bookmark making.

Moranbah’s Sara Sheridan will run macramé workshops for teenagers and adults during which participants will create a plant hanger and John Walker of North Eton will demonstrate spinning alpaca wool to create fibre and weaving it. 

These particular artists featuring at St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend is thanks to a Queensland Government investment in creative and cultural experiences through the Isaac Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF).

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said that the long standing RADF program would help to boost Queensland’s plan for economic recovery, supporting artists and arts workers with employment opportunities through $4.2 million in funding for regional cultural projects.

“The Palaszczuk Government is investing $2.08 million in RADF for 2020-21 and an additional $2.13 million will be contributed by 59 councils across Queensland,” Minister Enoch said.

“Each year RADF showcases the extraordinary innovation of the arts and cultural sector in regional communities, delivers rich arts experiences and provides important professional opportunities for artists and arts workers.”

The St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.

The event is proudly brought to the region by Isaac Regional Council in partnership with community and government partners.

Visit https://isaactickets.com.au/event/st-lawrence-wetlands-weekend-11405 to purchase your tickets and packages online or for more information visit https://www.isaac.qld.gov.au/community/wetlands-weekend or call 1300 ISAACS (1300 47 22 27) for more information.