Kite making, artist talks, a sculpture exhibition, life drawing and jewellery making are just some of the creative activities set to transform the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden during Horizon Festival, 23 August to 1 September.
Running throughout the festival, the Elements exhibition will see the magnificent garden transformed from a natural paradise into a contemporary outdoor gallery, exhibiting works from leading local and national artists who have drawn inspiration from the elements; fire, earth, air and water.
Curated by Hamish Sawyer, the featured artists are Lincoln Austin, Lyndon Davis, Mari Hirata, Kim Schoenberger and Warraba Weatherall.
"The artists were selected for their diverse and thoughtful approaches to interconnected ideas of nature and place," Sawyer said.
"Transported from the traditional white cube gallery environment and presented in a natural bushland setting, the works represent the multitude of ways in which the natural environment is an enduring and potent source of inspiration for artists.
"If you want to learn more, each artist and I will be hosting a talk throughout the festival, so I encourage everyone to come along to the gardens, meet the artists and hear about their work and their creative processes."
In addition to the exhibition and artist talks, there is a workshop program with something for everybody.
Whether you enjoy interactive art making, creating jewellery from nature or getting the kids outside to make incredible kites, the gardens are the place for you during Horizon.
Visit www.horizonfestival.com.au to book your spot.
Free Artist Talk program:
Lyndon Davis – Gom'bar Yau'ar, Fri 23 Aug, 11-11.30am, Arts and Ecology Centre
Hamish Sawyer – A word from the curator, Fri 23 Aug, 11.30am, Arts and Ecology Centre
Kim Schoenberger – Untitled [H2O], Sat 24 Aug, 11-11.30am, Whipbird Shelter
Mari Hirata – Newoxy: Sentinels, Sun 25 Aug, 11-11.30am, Whipbird Shelter
Warraba Weatherall – Documents 2019, Fri 30 Aug, 11-11.30am, Whipbird Shelter
Lincoln Austin – The Wind Forms, Sun 1 Sep, 11-11.30am, Whipbird Shelter
Workshop program:
M.A.D.E Walking Billycan Project
When: Sat 24 Aug, 3-4pm / Thu 29 Aug, 8.30-9.30am
Details: Join artist Nicole Voevodin-Cash for an interactive walk around the garden, carrying a billycan fitted with pen and paper. As you walk you'll create a mini-artwork and memento of your experience.
Cost: Free (Limited places, bookings required)
Untitled [H2O]
When: Sat 24 Aug and Mon 26 Aug, 1-2.30pm
Details: Facilitated by contemporary artist Kim Schoenberger, Untitled [H2O] is a family-friendly workshop in the construction of clay 'water drops' inspired by her Elements work.
Cost: $15
Mapping Place
When: Sun 25 Aug and Mon 26 Aug, 9am – 3pm
Details: Join Anne Harris for this two-part workshop to forage for plants and explore the art of natural ink and mark-making tools. Be inspired by and become more intimate with your natural surroundings in this two-part course.
Cost: $235
Little Wildings Forest School – Nature Playgroup
When: Tue 27 Aug, 9.30-11.30am
Details: a nomadic, all-weather nature-based play group for children who are not yet enrolled in school. The group follows a loose rhythm that revolves around free play and encourages adventure and exploration in nature to help promote imagination and self-discovery. Your Little Wildling/s will be invited to participate in activities including story-time, seasonal song-time and a collaborative nature art project that will go on display at Festival Central on the last weekend.
Cost: $17 per family
Kite Making
When: Sat 31 Aug and Sun 1 Sep, 1-3pm
Details: Facilitated by artist Lincoln Austin, this family-friendly workshop guides you through the construction of your very own kite, inspired by his work, The Wind Forms.
Cost: $20
Life Drawing in the Gardens
When: Sat 31 Aug, 1.30pm
Details: Life Drawing in the Gardens with Robyn Shaw provides a unique experience to capture the essence of nature and the human form, set to the backdrop of the tranquil Bushland Sculpture Garden.
Cost: $70
Elements is presented in partnership with Sunshine Coast Council's Centres for Conservation, Learning and Partnerships.
Horizon Festival is founded by Sunshine Coast Council.
Horizon Festival is made possible with the support of SunCentral – delivering the new Maroochydore City Centre, the Queensland Government through the Regional Arts Development Fund, Cultural Heritage Levy and Harmony by AVID Property Group.
Horizon Festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It's Live! In Queensland events calendar, worth $800m to the state's economy in 2019.
