March 16, 2013
Blackbutt arts group The Friends Of Cultcha celebrated a milestone when they held their 12th annual Gala Night at the Blackbutt Community Hall on Friday.
A crowd of around 70 people turned out for the event, which is held every March to showcase the works of artists who’ve shown their work at the group’s monthly exhibitions over the previous year, and hand over cheques to local good causes from the proceeds.
Guests travelled to the Gala Night from Yarraman, Nanango, Kingaroy and further afield.
Blackbutt was also well represented, with local artists Cary “Gus” McAuley, Margaretha Portman, Jennifer and Erica Wingfield and Judy Cranston all happy to discuss their works.
Former Blackbutt art identity Marjie Spies – who now lives in Gympie – also came “back home” for the night to catch up with old friends and stay in touch with what’s been happening in the town’s art scene.
SBRC Mayor Wayne Kratzmann put in an apology for being unable to attend due to another engagement, but he was represented by Cr Debra Palmer from Blackbutt.
Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington congratulated the group for being one of the few the State Government will fund this year to celebrate Queensland Week.
The Friends of Cultcha will be doing this with a free community celebration in Blackbutt on Sunday, June 9.
Compere Jeff Connor from the Bloomin’ Beautiful Blackbutt Spring Festival committee also congratulated the Friends Of Cultcha committee and convener Laraine Aniftos for their hard work.
He said that thanks to Laraine’s dedication Blackbutt now boasts the only community arts group in the South Burnett that has run monthly art exhibitions for a dozen consecutive years.
This year the group presented two cheques: one to the Blackbutt-Benarkin Aged Care Association for the ongoing development of aged care facilities in the town; and the other to the Breast and Prostate Cancer Association of Queensland.
The major raffle prize on the night was a $1500 acrylic by Gus McAuley called “Night and Day”, which was painted in the forests near the town.
Gus said it had taken him roughly two hours to paint … but 25 years to learn how to do it.
Other artists who had works on show at this year’s Gala Night included Marion and Barbara Elmore, Grig Bold, Marjie Zimmerman, Liz Duguid, Fran Doyle, Lyn Felsman, Thelma Archibald, Dot Rowland, Ursula Mackay, Ingrid Kussler, S. Thompson, Erica and Jennifer Wingfield, Nick Aniftos and John Spies.
Music for the evening was supplied by Fred Thoughton.
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