Moira Reilly, from Kingaroy, SBRC Arts Portfolio chair Cr Ros Heit and award-winning photographer Max Walters enjoyed the exhibition’s opening night

August 14, 2014

This month’s exhibition at the Kingaroy Art Gallery is offering visitors something unique: a snapshot of the South Burnett’s current art scene courtesy of a dozen of the region’s best artists.

The new exhibition is called “Life Matters” and it has been put together by members of the Jumping Ant Arts Group.

It features paintings, prints, pottery, textile works, spun garments, photography and woodworks from a dozen regional artists.

They include Diana Bolton, Judith Brook, Cherry Coultis, Donna Flynn, Judy Gray, Carmel Nott, Fay Stumm, Fran van Vegchel, Paul van Vegchel, Max Walters, Suzi Wells and Catherine Woodham.

Many have won major awards for their work, and most have been practising their skills for decades.

The exhibition was officially opened by the South Burnett Regional Council’s new Arts Portfolio chair Cr Ros Heit last Friday night.

Paraphrasing writer Ray Bradbury, Cr Heit told the large crowd that some people questioned the value of art because it was unable to prevent any of the evils of life such as wars, disease, envy, greed, old age or death.

“That’s true,” Cr Heit said.

“But art has the ability to revitalise us in the midst of all these things, and that is what makes it so wonderful.”.

She congratulated the artists on their works, which she thought showed how much talent the region had, and hoped that as many people as possible would see the exhibition while it was on display.

“This really is a great collection of work – congratulations to everyone involved.”

  • “Life Matters” will remain on display at the Kingaroy Art Gallery in Haly Street, Kingaroy from 9:00am to 4:30pm weekdays, 10:00am to 4:00pm on weekends and 10:00am to 2:00pm on public holidays until October 8; admission to view it is free.
Dot Rowland with some of her colourful watercolour and acrylic artworks; she also has some of her pottery on display in the exhibition
Jon Ham is a new member of Jumping Ant Arts; his paintings have been exhibited in Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast but have never been seen in Kingaroy before

Kingaroy artist Carmel Nott with some of her intricate woodcut prints

Artist Judith Brook has been working in textiles and rugs for more than three decades
Fran Van Vegchel had fun explaining the finer points of her husband Paul’s painting of “Two Old Birds” to Alice Brook-Hurley, from Booie