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OFFCUTS: Darwin art event to be hosted by Qubit

The director of the host gallery says there are “big shoes to fill” ahead of the fun tradition.

L to R: David Collins, Director of Darwin Street Art Festival, Don Whyte, Owner of Don Whyte Framing and founder of Off Cuts, and Shay Jayawardena, Director of Qubit. Picture: Charlie Bliss Creative.
L to R: David Collins, Director of Darwin Street Art Festival, Don Whyte, Owner of Don Whyte Framing and founder of Off Cuts, and Shay Jayawardena, Director of Qubit. Picture: Charlie Bliss Creative.

Incredible local artwork is set to be enjoyed alongside food, fun and banter, as Darwin’s newest gallery hosts a traditional Top End event in style.

On Thursday, art gallery Qubit announced it would host the annual OFFCUTS art show in partnership with the Darwin Street Art Festival, with 50 per cent of the event’s profits destined for charity.

The event, expected to raise thousands of dollars, will feature offcut canvas and stretchers bars from the previous year, which were distributed among local artists for recreation.

Despite being a community event, Qubit director Shay Jayawardena said she was “nervous” when she heard her gallery had been nominated to host the popular event.

“I was nervous because it’s big shoes to fill and this event has had so many different iterations,” she told the NT News.

“So I was feeling a bit nervous because there’s a bit of a legacy behind this event, but, ultimately, I’m actually really excited.”

Ms Jayawardena said the variety of artwork would provide “something for everyone”.

“The displays will bring such a broad range of mediums, colours and skills and it’s pretty unique for a place to have such a cross-section of represented in such a way.”

Ms Jayawardena encouraged attendees to bring a plate of food so as to be in the running for the ‘best food’ award.

“It’s been happening for 16 years, so we’re keeping the tradition alive – it’s quite funny how creative people get.”

As for the local art scene, Ms Jayawardena said the Territory boasted a wide spectrum of unique artists.

“The Territory’s sort of a melting pot of really talented artists that are really multidisciplinary,” she said.

“I think the fact that in one room we can see such diversity from people in community to young people, to teachers and so forth shows how much diversity there is in a place like Darwin.”

OFFCUTS will take place at 6pm on Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Mayfair Gallery space, Darwin.

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/offcuts-darwin-art-event-to-be-hosted-by-qubit/news-story/d73ec5361fd31155ca3fc1f8ff97737e