December 5, 2019
One of the South Burnett’s oldest painting groups believes it has survived for 11 years because its focus is as much about socialising as it is about art.
Members of the Monday Artists Group – and their many friends – packed the Kingaroy Regional Art Gallery on Thursday night for the official opening of their annual show.
This year’s exhibition theme is “For The Love Of It”, inspired by the Charley Pride song “Just For The Love Of It”.
All 14 members have contributed works that reflect things they love – people, animals, families and landscapes – executed in oils, acrylics, watercolours, pastels, collage, pencil, and even a few pieces of sculpture.
Artist Darryl Jones, who compered the official opening, told the audience the group was formed in 2008 as a way for a few local artists to get together on a regular basis to swap ideas, learn techniques and simply have fun.
Over the years membership of the group has changed as some people left the region and others moved in, but the central reason for the group’s existence has remained the same.
“There is no such thing as ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘I’m not as skilled as so and so’,” Darryl said.
“We believe in the individual creativity of each person, and helping one another develop that creativity by sharing our skills and ideas.
“There is always encouragement, laughter and story-telling because we’re as much a social group as we are an arts group.
“And we always welcome new members, because fostering and encouraging new artists is good for the whole community.”
Darryl said this year the group had lost one of its founding members – artist Dot Rowland, who moved to Brisbane to be closer to family members – but had gained several others who had moved into the region.
The Monday Artists Group meets at the 1913 Council Chambers behind the Kingaroy Regional Art Gallery on the first and third Mondays of each month.
- “For The Love Of It” will remain on display at the Kingaroy Regional Art Gallery from 10:00am to 2:00pm daily, and from 9:00am to 1:00pm on weekends and public holidays (except for Christmas Day) until Friday, January 10. Admission to view the exhibition is free.
