Activating Moreton Bay's public spaces through art
Published 11 August 2022
Moreton Bay’s public spaces are about to get a whole lot brighter after Council commissioned and completed its first mural through the new Art At Large program.
Mayor Peter Flannery said this abstract mural on the side of the Redcliffe Museum would be the first of many to come as a great way to support local artists, help drive tourism to the region and better connect locals to public spaces.
“Moreton Bay has so many naturally beautiful places from our pristine shorelines to our stunning hinterland, and this new project addresses the public spaces we see on a day-to-day basis when we’re out and about,” he said.
“Public art and cultural activations lift a community and make visitors want to come back time and time again, especially with the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics on the horizon - we want to put our best foot forward to the world.
“This is our first mural as part of the Art At Large program, on an exterior wall of the Redcliffe Museum and the artwork commission went to First Nations artist Lexie Abel, who spent much of her life living in Redcliffe.
“Her artwork Colour is a Feeling is an abstract homage to the area where she grew up and the place where she raised her children. It shows her connection to the bay through colours and tones rather than literal images.
“This complements the work Council is undertaking to create our first Reconciliation Action Plan and to build better relationships with First Nations people living locally here in Moreton Bay."
This mural was funded by the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the Queensland Government and Moreton Bay Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government invested $2.08 million through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) in 2021-22, matched with a contribution of approximately $2.3 million from 59 councils across the state.
"RADF is a great example of working together to deliver our COVID-19 economic recovery plan, supporting employment opportunities and creating new arts and cultural experiences in local and regional communities,” Minister Enoch said.
“RADF in 2021-2022 provides valuable social, health and economic outcomes for regional Queenslanders, and support our Government’s 10-year arts roadmap priorities to strengthen Queensland communities, activate local places and drive social change across the state."
Mayor Peter Flannery said art is for everyone and over the coming year there will more opportunities for local artists to respond to expressions of interest to create temporary public art across Moreton Bay.
“We’ve already begun this journey by creating events like Park Jam which is a performance-based cultural activation with plenty of hands on creative activities for locals to participate in.
“As well as the annual Anywhere Festival which takes performances out of the theatre and places them squarely in public spaces for locals and visitors to enjoy.
“Council is committed to supporting local artists and performers by giving them opportunities to create and present work. So please keep your eyes peeled for opportunities across Moreton Bay by subscribing to our Arts Mail e-newsletter."
To subscribe, visit: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/News/Newsletters