Julia Shaw, from the Winds of Change Art Gallery, with mural finalist Frances Rowland Wregg
Mural finalist Willie Nelson has also been busy lately repairing the historic murals around Nanango

October 8, 2013

The six finalists in the Heritage Nanango Art Fest mural competition were introduced to the public on Sunday morning at a meet’n’greet held at the Winds of Change Gallery.

South Burnett councillor Barry Green welcomed the competitors, who are vying for $5000 in prize money, and wished them well.

The competition is believed to be the first of its kind in Queensland and is being held in Nanango which is known as a “mural town” because of its street art.

Three local and three visiting artists made it through to the final.

The six finalists  are Frances Rowland Wregg (Brisbane), Keith Sommer (Brisbane), Kerry Nicholson (Toowoomba), George Ward (Nanango), Carol Pike (Nanango) and Willie Nelson (Nanango).

They are painting their murals on permanent stands erected in Pioneer Park. “Brushes down” is at noon on Saturday (which coincide with the annual Nanango Mardi Gras festivities in the park).

Julia Shaw, from the Winds of Change Gallery, said the idea was that the murals – which must have the theme “water” – would remain in the park for 12 months until next year’s competition.

The mural “paint-off” is only one part of the Heritage Nanango Art Fest.

There’s also a series of workshops – which kicked off last Saturday with a pottery day and was followed by sculpture on Monday –  and an art and sculpture exhibition at the Nanango Cultural Centre.

A gala presentation night will be held at the Cultural Centre on Friday evening.

Nanango Art Fest:

  • Mural Paint-Off: Oct 5-Oct 13 (at Pioneer Park)
  • Art & Sculpture Exhibition: Oct 7-Oct 13 (at Nanango Cultural Centre)
  • Gala Presentation Night: Oct 11 – (6:00pm at Nanango Cultural Centre)

Workshop schedule:

  • Oct 8 – Watercolour with Ina Patterson – 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Winds of Change Gallery – $35
  • Oct 9 – Woodburning with Gwen Olm – 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Winds of Change Gallery – $35
  • Oct 10 – Life Drawing with Garry Eyre – 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Cultural Centre – $35
  • Oct 11 – Recyclable with Dany Moorehead – 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Winds of Change Gallery – $35
Rick and Karren Bolton, from the Winds of Change Gallery, with South Burnett councillor Barry Green

Mural finalist Keith Sommer with his wife and helper Loretta 

Nanango mural finalists Carol Pike and George Ward
Finalists Kerry Nicholson, from Toowoomba, and Frances Rowland Wregg, Brisbane, with Frances’ husband Colin