Exhibition to fill the void in tertiary regional arts education

The “Transitions” exhibition supports emerging artists through mentorship, reviving arts education in North Queensland, culminating in a transformative showcase at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery.

Sabrina-rose Toby worked with her Transitions mentor Alison McDonald to expand her creative knowledge and skills in jewellery making and fine arts

In an awe-inspiring fusion of creativity and mentorship, Townsville City Galleries and Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts are dazzling audiences with the “Transitions” exhibition.

Transitions aims to fill the critical void in declining tertiary regional arts education and provide a platform for aspiring artists to develop their skills and gain valuable industry experience.

This follows the recent closure of the remaining James Cook University visual arts courses, leaving no university-level creative arts qualifications in North and Far North Queensland.

Now in its fourth year, Transitions has proven to be transformative for participants.

Emerging Magnetic Island based artist mentee Sarah Treadwell expressed her appreciation for the program after exhibiting at Umbrella earlier this year.

“As an artist with limited formal training, this kind of hands-on apprenticeship style learning is invaluable,” she said. “The one-on-one attention, the opportunity to learn skills from an expert, and the feeling of being guided throughout by industry experts. I feel it’s filling a void in the arts training of today’s landscape.

“This program also allowed me to experiment in a new medium with a more conceptual based idea. This is something that I perhaps wouldn’t have had the opportunity/confidence to do as an emerging artist.

“My only critique of the program is that I wish the program were longer.”

Mentees have the opportunity to work one-on-one with established North Queensland artists, receiving personalised guidance, critiques, and mentorship.

Sabrina-rose Toby with her art work at the Transitions exhibition

Through this collaborative process, mentees develop their artistic practices, gain insights into the professional art world, and build a strong foundation for their careers.

First Nations artist mentee Sabrina-rose Toby worked with her Transitions mentor Alison McDonald to expand her creative knowledge and skills in jewellery making and fine arts, focussing on the practical aspects of making breastplates.

This coincided with Sabrina’s own research and reflections to reclaim the breastplates from their colonial history of being imposed onto First Nations peoples.

The Transitions program has also drawn on the strength of the collaboration between Townsville City Galleries and Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts.

The two organisations pool their knowledge, staff, networks and peers, including support from Townsville City Council, to benefit the participants.

Councillor Ann-Maree Greaney said the council was proud to work with Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts to bring Transitions to Perc Tucker Regional Gallery.

“Townsville is proud to be the arts capital of Northern Australia, which is why the council works hand in hand with local arts organisations like Umbrella to further the careers of our city’s emerging artists,” Cr Greaney said.

“Transitions is a program that helps build stronger connections within the community, celebrate our region’s diversity, and contribute to a sense of belonging and pride, culminating in a world-class exhibition in North Queensland’s oldest gallery.

“The continued development of our region’s artistic talents are essential to both our collective identity and our region’s future.

“I’d encourage any emerging artists to reach out to our Townsville City Galleries team or the great team at Umbrella to learn more about Transitions and what it can offer them.”

Previous participants of Transitions have also gone on to successfully grow their arts careers.

Some of the artists have held solo exhibitions, participated in group exhibitions, undertaken further study and arts residencies and featured in exhibition tours and festivals. 2023 mentee Natalie Ward also went on to win the $1000 Art Prize in the 2023 Umbrella Members’ Exhibition.

“I got to know more local artists through my involvement [in Transitions], and often when they tried to figure out where they might have met me, it was because they came to the Transitions [2023 exhibition] opening night, or could at least place me because they had seen my work there,” Natalie said.

The exhibiting artist mentees are Sarah Treadwell, Sabrina Toby, Hannah Aiello, Vicki Katthagen, and Lisa Gianni.

A panel discussion will be held on Saturday, September 21, from 10:30am to 11:30am, at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery. This free event will feature insights from artists, mentors, and gallery professionals involved in the Transitions program.

The 2024 Transitions exhibition will run until October 13.

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