Exhibition to fill the gap in tertiary regional arts education

EducationDaily
First Nations' artist Sabrina-rose Toby is one of five mentee artists featured in the fourth Transitions exhibition.

A new exhibition that combines collaboration and mentorship between Townsville City Galleries and Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts aims to fill the critical void in the declining tertiary regional arts education.

Since the recent closure of the remaining James Cook University (JCU) visual arts courses left no university-level creative arts qualifications in North and Far North Queensland, the Transitions exhibition offers a platform for aspiring artists to develop their skills and gain valuable industry experience.

“As an artist with limited formal training, this kind of hands-on apprenticeship style learning is invaluable,” says emerging Magnetic Island-based artist mentee Sarah Treadwell, who joins fellow exhibiting artist mentees Sabrina Toby, Hannah Aiello, Vicki Katthagen and Lisa Gianni.

“The one-on-one attention, the opportunity to learn skills from an expert, and the feeling of being guided throughout by industry experts. I feel it’s filling a void in the arts training of today’s landscape.

- Advertisement -

“This program also allowed me to experiment in a new medium with a more conceptual-based idea. This is something that I perhaps wouldn’t have had the opportunity/confidence to do as an emerging artist.

“My only critique of the program is that I wish the program were longer.”

Learning from mentoring and tailored guidance

Mentees have the opportunity to work with established North Queensland artists and receive personalised one-on-one critiques, mentorship and guidance.

Councillor Ann-Maree Greaney says the Townsville City Council was proud to work with Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts to bring Transitions to Perc Tucker Regional Gallery.

- Advertisement -

“Townsville is proud to be the arts capital of Northern Australia, which is why the council works hand-in-hand with local arts organisations like Umbrella to further the careers of our city’s emerging artists,” she says.

Transitions is a program that helps build stronger connections within the community, celebrate our region’s diversity, and contribute to a sense of belonging and pride, culminating in a world-class exhibition in North Queensland’s oldest gallery.

“The continued development of our region’s artistic talents are essential to both our collective identity and our region’s future.

“I’d encourage any emerging artists to reach out to our Townsville City Galleries team or the great team at Umbrella to learn more about Transitions and what it can offer them.”

The 2024 Transitions exhibition at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery will run until 13 October.

- Advertisement -
Share This Article