NEW TOWN ENTRY STATEMENT TELLS SCENIC RIM'S STORIES
A feature artwork telling the Scenic Rim's stories has been unveiled as a spectacular entry statement to Beaudesert.
The installation, near Waters Creek Bridge on the Mount Lindesay Highway, is the latest chapter in the Scenic Rim Story Marker Project that has seen the placement of public art, providing a sense of place for locals and visitors alike, at Canungra and Tamborine Mountain.
Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said the landmark artwork incorporated all elements of the Scenic Rim's indigenous, environmental, colonial and contemporary heritage.
"Many Scenic Rim residents will remember this as the Shared Fire Public Art that was developed as an integral part of the Fire and Water Finale at Kooralbyn during the 2018 Commonwealth Games celebrations in our region," he said.
"The artwork comprises four 2.4-metre panels that were fabricated by local steel sculptor Colleen Lavender, adapting images from eight local artists each with their own Scenic Rim story."
Colleen Lavender was moved to see the artwork finally unveiled.
"Working on this project was the best five months of my life, even though there were two cyclones and a heatwave while it was being produced," she said.
"I'm grateful to the team at Council for giving me this opportunity to do something unique for the region that tells the stories of our people and our history."
The Scenic Rim Arts Reference Group, chaired by Cr Nadia O'Carroll, recommended that the pieces be installed as a single work and numerous sites were considered for their location.
"While the individual panels reflect different aspects of the Scenic Rim, the actual public art is integrated seamlessly to join the inspirational stories of our region," she said.
"We undertook a considerable review process to choose the site.
"We wanted to make sure the site was on a natural elevation to showcase the artwork, had easy access to electricity for the lighting, which will be installed shortly, and importantly to ensure no vegetation needed to be removed."
The Story Marker Project is part of Council's wider Vibrant and Active Towns and Villages initiative which aims to revitalise Scenic Rim communities through public spaces that connect people and places.
It incorporates elements of public art, signage, storytelling and place-making at key locations across the Scenic Rim at significant entry points.
The artwork at Beaudesert will be retrofitted with LED lighting to reignite the magic of the Shared Fire community celebrations in 2018 and has involved the following artists in telling the region's stories:
- Aunty Ruby Sims - The Kooralbyn Rock Wallabies
- Kim Williams - The Mununjali people and the Warrajum at Ill Bogan Lagoon
- Tamlyn Geiger - The Pine Trees of Canungra
- Meaghan Bailey - The Tamborine Mountain Lyrebird
- Ailsa Rolley - The Night Soil Horses of Beaudesert
- Leeton Lee - Story Lines Through Community
- Krystie Smoothy - World War Two and the Fassifern school children, and
- Teenie Wilton - The Warrajum of the Boonah Waterholes .
"We are so grateful to the artists for sharing their creative skills to tell the wonderful stories of our region.
"This artwork is part of our continuing journey to create a route which engages travellers with all our towns and villages in a thought-provoking way as they explore the beautiful Scenic Rim, and to provide locals with a greater sense of community connection," Cr Christensen said.
Image caption left to right: Local steel artist Colleen Lavender at the new entrance display with artist Aunty Ruby Sims, Mayor Greg Christensen, Chair of Scenic Rim Arts Reference Group Councillor Nadia O'Carroll, artist Alisa Rolley and artist Krystie Smoothy.