Whitsunday Art Fusion brings workshops to Proserpine

Two Whitsundays organisations have combined efforts to bring art back to underserved communities, with local and professional artists offering ‘almost free’ workshops.

Example of techniques used in Jellena Demartini's workshops with Whitsunday Art Fusion. Photo: Contributed

Professional artists will be flown into the Whitsundays for a monthly workshop, working alongside locals to inspire creativity and bring underserved communities together.

Art Whitsunday and Proserpine Agricultural Pastoral and Industrial Association will be hosting Whitsunday Art Fusion, with the latter allowing the use of the Proserpine Showgrounds.

Early courses will include photography, silversmithing, journaling, and painting.

Belinda Curry, grants writer and workshop facilitator for Whitsunday Art Fusion said she had noticed a shift in the community with significantly fewer community events and mental health issues becoming more prominent.

“We thought one way to improve things was bringing some workshops and something different to Proserpine,” she said.

“These workshops are reaching out to people in outlying areas, including the Midge Point area, Laguna, Collinsville, Bowen, and everything in between.

“It’s a regional concept rather than just locally in Proserpine.”

Many of the workshops will be facilitated by local professional artists.

Photography by Stacey Nicholas who will be facilitating the first workshop with Whitsunday Art Fusion. Photo: Stacey Nicholas

For others, the organisers are flying in professional artists from Brisbane and Townsville, giving people the opportunity to learn from professionals who weren’t usually available to them.

The first workshop on March 29 will be hosted by Stacey Nicholas from Dreamscape Studio taking attendees through the three pillars of photography: ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.

The second will be a two-day workshop in April with artist Jellena Demartini who will explore fresh approaches to painting.

Jellena Demartini will be facilitating a workshop with Whitsunday Art Fusion. Photo: Contributed

Ms Curry said Whitsunday Art Fusion was not meant to be just for artists, anyone could attend the classes and they were planning on running exhibitions as well.

“We’re just trying to get people connected in our community again through the arts,” she said.

“Because there’s so many lonely people out there and this is what this is about.

“The creative arts is a tool to connect people.”

Ms Curry applied for various streams of funding and said receiving the money was vital for the workshops to go ahead with affordable classes varying in price, some virtually free.

She said the Proserpine Agricultural Pastoral and Industrial Association providing the venue was a huge help, as was funding from the Regional Arts Development Fund and funding from the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal Strengthening Rural Communities program.

Workshop bookings can be made here.