Flying Arts Alliance Inc., a not-for-profit organisation, has an appealing uniqueness about it. An arts and cultural development organisation, it has been delivering visual arts projects and services to regional and remote Queensland since 1971 and has played a significant role in inspiring artists and communities.
Their motto, Connecting Regional Queensland to the Arts, does more than art, it contributes significantly to helping people overcome the impacts of regional isolation and remote living.
Background
A legendary figure in the Queensland arts community and founder of Flying Arts, Mervyn Moriarty OAM has an iconic story as a respected artist and as a passionate dedicated art teacher/educator since the 1970s. He used his prize money from an art award to learn how to fly so he could teach art in outback communities where there was no access to art.
It is a lovely story when in 1971 he took off in his small plane on a 6,000 km round journey where he set up the ‘art school’ that is now Flying Arts, hence the name. On average, he flew four times a year to 26 centres making over 1,250 trips and flying over 400,000km. Fortunately, his work has been recognised not just by the Australia Day Honours Awards, but by generating hundreds of artists living on rural properties and regional towns throughout Queensland providing potential for a lifetime interest or career.
Legacy Lives On
It was apparent Mervyn’s care and guidance continue to live on after my enlightening evening when I accepted an invitation to attend the Emerging Artist Award Exhibition for the 2023 Queensland Regional Arts Awards. Held at the Judith Wright Centre in Brisbane we mingled with a few of the regional emerging artists.
They all shone, thanks to Flying Art’s support to showcase their creations. The excitement and passion were soon evident from the conversations and art pieces on display. The incredible diversity in the visual arts, ranging from ceramics, stitchwork, slumped glass, natural fibre & charcoal, photographic and paper combinations, recycled clay, and painting.
This month’s featured artists: Anna Guthrie, Blair Garland, Jacky Chan, Kathryn Neilsen, Katrina O’Shanessy, Kaz Jauser, Ketakii Jewson-Brown, Kim Nolan, Kirralee Robinson, Maharlina Gorospe-Lockie, Naomi McKenzie, Natalie Ward, Seth Green, William Debois.
Until 21 February, there are fourteen pieces of artwork on display. It is easy to see why it was difficult to choose one winner.
Naomi McKenzie was the lucky recipient of the winning prize. Using texture, shadow and reflections, her piece titled Where We Meet 2023, was created with Silver Gelatin Photograph hand processed on Metallic Paper. Such fine detail and an image that captures one attention.
Anna Guthrie, a ceramicist, was runner-up with her intriguing creation, Arcadian Apertures #2I 2023. A geometric ceramic vessel, bearing a small incised aperture that serves as a portal into the realm of Arcadia.
Current Exhibitions:
February 13-21 Emerging Artist Award Exhibition-JWAC
February 20-13 March The Mervyn Moriarty Landscape Award Exhibition
Up and Coming Programs: https://flyingarts.org.au/upcoming-programs/
Location:
Judith Wright Arts Centre, 420 Brunswick Street, Brisbane. Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9 am to 5 pm
Ruth Greening holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Psychology & Philosophy. Before retirement, she worked for over 40 years in the corporate world in Melbourne and Brisbane and progressed into senior management positions and project roles for both private industry and government.
In her 70th decade, she continues in casual roles as a freelance writer, model, and actor participating in small movies, TV commercials and User Generated Content.
As a grandmother, she is known as Nanny Babe to her grandchildren and writes from a Baby Boomer perspective on her blog www.nannybabe.com. An avid crafter Ruth actively participates in sewing, crocheting and knitting.
While she continues to pursue her artistic passions, Ruth is dedicated to maintaining her health and fitness as she ages by attending the gym, dancing and walking and thrives on mentoring others.
Connect with Ruth or our moniker Nanny Babe; nannybabegengp.blogspot.com.au/
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