Out of this world celebrations at QVMAG
This Thursday will see a series of out of this world celebrations at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery in recognition of May the 4th.
The Museum at Inveresk will be open until 7pm with a range of activities and programs on offer, with visitors encouraged to wear their best Cosplay costume to the event.
From Sci-Fi themed portrait drawings with Tasmanian artist Ben Winwood, a Cosplay costume competition, drawing workshops, and space 'craft' sessions through to an evening Astronomer Q&A in the Launceston Planetarium; there's something for space explorers of all ages to enjoy at QVMadness: a Sci-Fi takeover of QVMAG.
Programs on 4 May include:
Pop-up sci-fi portraits with Ben Winwood
3pm to 4pm | Free activity
Have you ever wondered what you would look like as a Sci-Fi character? Here's your chance. Who will you be transformed in to? Join us on the day to find out.
Sci-Fi Cosplay Costume Competition
3pm to 6pm | Free to enter, register on the day
Get set to travel to distant planets and dimensions with our next Sci-Fi cosplay contest. Dress as your favourite cosplay character and join the competition to go in the running to win one (1) of three (3) prize vouchers to the QVMAG Shop.
Space 'craft'
3pm to 5pm | Free activity
Drop into space ‘craft’ mission control and make your own table top hovercrafts, cardboard rockets and all the weird and wonderful sci-fi creations you can imagine.
Learn to draw with Ben Winwood
4.30pm to 6pm | $5 per child, register via Eventbrite
Learn how to draw a Sci-Fi characters in our next drawing workshop with Tasmanian artist Ben Winwood. Choose from one of two sessions available to join the fun.
Astronomer Q&A: are we alone in the universe?
6pm to 7pm | $7 per person, register via Eventbrite
Are we alone in the universe? Join us on 4 May for an evening talk in the Launceston Planetarium as we discuss the possibility of life on other planets in the universe. Hear from QVMAG Astronomer Chris Arkless as we talk all things space, aliens and technology. Topics will include; the Drake equation, the age and scale of cosmos, possible reasons of why we've found no signs of life elsewhere so far, followed by a Q&A session.
City of Launceston Mayor Danny Gibson said the celebrations were a brilliant way to celebrate such an iconic date in cinematic history.
"It's great fun to see such vibrant celebrations taking place in Launceston on May 4th," Cr Gibson said.
''I encourage all ages to make the most of this fun line up of activities and programs, alongside the extended Museum opening hours on the day."
City of Launceston General Manager Creative Arts and Cultural Services Shane Fitzgerald said the afternoon of activities was a brilliant way to celebrate with northern Tasmanians.
"Our team have had a lot of fun putting together this program for our community," Fitzgerald said.
"Following on from our hugely popular Summer of Sci-Fi event in 2020, we've been waiting to bring back similar celebrations post the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's always fantastic to see the excitement of our community for events like this, and it offers a great opportunity for us to extend out opening hours on the day for some Sci-Fi evening fun."
QVMAG Public Program Officer Carmencita Palermo said the event was not to be missed.
"We've had such a great time planning activities for the QVMadness event," Palermo said.
"I'm particularly looking forward to the Sci-Fi portraits and the Cosplay costume competition; it's always brilliant to see what costumes our community will enter with."
QVMadness: a Sci-Fi takeover of QVMAG will be held from 3pm to 7pm, on May 4 at the Museum at Inveresk (2 Invermay Road). Entry to the Museum is free.
The full program line-up can be found at www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/Events
Issued 2 May 2023.