Bursting with colour and inspired by the untamed beauty of the Western Downs landscape, 'Wildflowering on the Western Downs is a vibrant new exhibition blooming into life at Dogwood Crossing from 26 July to 13 September.
Curated by Dr Sue Davis and Dr. Lisa Chandler, there will be works by artists from across Queensland in the John Mullins Memorial Gallery, while the Curved Wall' space will shine a spotlight on the talents of local Western Downs artists.
Council Spokesperson for Community and Cultural Development Cr Peter Saxelby said support from the Queensland Government and the Regional Arts Development Fund has been vital in helping Council nurture local talent and deliver unique cultural experiences.
"Exhibitions like Wildflowering provide platforms for artists to push boundaries, reflect on beauty and provoke meaningful conversations," Cr Saxelby said.
"These exhibitions capture the Western Downs and Queensland botanical heritage through fresh eyes, exploring materiality, handcrafting, and the digital realm.
"The touring exhibition features work from across South-East Queensland with award-winning artists such as Renata Buziak, Donna Davis, Joolie Gibbs, Nicole Jakins, Cara Ann Simpson and Emma Thorp.
"It is complemented by works from local artists across various disciplines.
'Wildflowering on the Western Downs' explores the intersection of art, design, and nature, drawing inspiration from the Gurulmundi Wildflower Circuit in the Gurulmundi state forest.
"Local artists were selected to partake in a two-day retreat where a series of workshops explored botanical inks, sun printing and pattern making.
"The immersive retreat and workshop allowed artists to experiment with different media and materials, as well as extend their network with other like-minded creatives.
"This weekend of professional development was a fantastic opportunity for local artists to learn techniques from industry professionals and as a result their work will be showcased at the Dogwood Crossing for 49 days."
Local artist Meg Noack described the two-day retreat as a deeply rewarding experience, praising the opportunity to connect creatively and forge strong bonds with fellow artists.
"Being an artist can be a solitary occupation, and the retreat helped me to discover a 'whole tribe' of folk who appreciated nature and love being an artist," Meg said.
"The whole experience provided an opportunity to test ideas, media and colour and see how others tackled the same tasks."
Fellow local artist Eileen Parker said the retreat experience sparked a whole new direction in her hat-making work.
"Drawing with botanical ink inspired me to dye my exhibition piece using eucalyptus leaves foraged from Possum Park and the Bunya Mountains, creating a sense of origin and connection," Eileen said.
Meg and Eileen's vibrant creations will be proudly showcased at the Wildflowering on the Western Downs exhibition at Dogwood Crossing from 26 July to 13 September.
Western Downs Artists include Michelle Black, Helen Dennis, Cindy Grimes, Patricia Hinz, Kay Joyce, Leigh Nicholson, Meg Noack, Eileen Parker, Christopher Rigg and Kath Truscott.
