Celebrating NAIDOC Week through art at QVMAG
Image: Student curators from Launceston Church Grammar School selecting works for ArtStart 2024. Photo: QVMAG.
See creative student works and experience live art on site with Tasmanian Aboriginal artist Rod Gardner at QVMAG this week.
The annual primary school student art exhibition ArtStart has opened at the Art Gallery at Royal Park, showcasing works created in response to the NAIDOC Week 2024 theme: Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud.
Designed to encourage children's participation in the visual arts, ArtStart provides an opportunity for students in kindergarten to grade six across northern Tasmania to have their work displayed at the Art Gallery as part of this popular exhibition.
Students are encouraged to experiment with pattern, texture and materials to create works in any medium, including drawing, painting, photography and mixed media.
The exhibition is curated by young Indigenous students, fostering interest and involvement in the process of developing an art show.
City of Launceston Councillor Tim Walker said the ArtStart exhibition was a wonderful way to inspire young creative minds and an opportunity to learn about First Nations culture and history at the same time.
“ArtStart is an annual favourite for locals across northern Tasmania, particularly to see how pupils respond to the theme and use this as an outlet for creativity,” Cr Walker said.
“We encourage everyone to visit this exhibition and support our young artists on display within this exhibition and read the stories of inspiration behind their work.”
As part of NAIDOC Week 2024 celebrations, QVMAG is also pleased to welcome Tasmanian Aboriginal artist Rod Gardner to the Museum at Inveresk and Art Gallery at Royal Park for a series of free, live art sessions.
Image: Rod Trip Gardner. Photo: QVMAG
General Manager Creative Arts and Cultural Services Shane Fitzgerald said art is critical in fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Tasmania’s rich Aboriginal cultural heritage.
"We invite you to join Rod as he moves throughout the museum’s spaces and engages with visitors, sharing his stories in a cultural exchange of art and storytelling,” Fitzgerald said.
NAIDOC Week 2024: Through someone else's eyes with Rod Gardner takes place at the Museum at Inveresk, between 11.00am and 3.00pm on Saturday 6 and Tuesday 9 July. Entry is free.
ArtStart is now showing at the Art Gallery at Royal Park and will be on display until Sunday, 20 October 2024. Entry is free.
A long-standing program by QVMAG, ArtStart is made possible by the Terry and Nan Woodward ArtStart legacy.