Volunteer opportunities are now open as showstopping public artworks are being finalised for Ephemera 2025: Trace-less.
Ephemera is Northern Australia's premier public art festival and will draw a strong focus on sustainability this year. Artists creating works for Ephemera 2025 are being encouraged to be mindful of their connection to Country and their environmental impact when they create their works.
Magnetic Island artist Rose Gordon is entering Ephemera for the first time this year.
Her natural sculpture Chains of Invasion will delve into the spread of periwinkle and the effects of settlement on First Nations people in response to the Trace-less theme.
"Many people see periwinkle as a pretty little plant, but in fact when they escape the garden and get into native bushland they take over and smother native species," Ms Gordon said.
"This year's theme really appeals to me. I try to avoid using plastic, I reuse and recycle as much as possible.
"My work is created from dried periwinkle plants and is suspended on a sisal rope. No plastic has been used. These plants have been picked from the conservation block and areas around the Island. It will degrade and return to the earth without a trace."
Townsville Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said the public art festival drew tens of thousands of visitors to The Strand every two years.
"Ephemera showcases the best in Australian and international public art, and this year we're turning the spotlight onto environmental advocacy," Cr Greaney said.
"This year's prize structure includes a $10,000 Artistic Excellence Award, $1,000 each for the People's Choice Award and the Environmental Advocate Award, and the new $1,000 Young Artistic Excellence Award.
"Events like Ephemera are only possible with the help of many hands. Volunteer opportunities to work with artwork installation, in the information booth and during the artwork removal are available, with applications now open.
"All of our volunteers are provided with a long-sleeved shirt and personal protective equipment to wear during their shifts, so you just need to bring along a passion for art."
Applications close at 11:59pm on 15 June 2025. To register your interest as a volunteer, visit the Ephemera website.
