MEDIA RELEASE                           Tuesday 23 February 2010

CAIRNS CONTEMPORARY ART SCENE RECEIVES DYNAMIC LIFT

Cairns’ contemporary art-scape will receive a dynamic lift from Cairns Regional Council with the opening of Circa 1904 Contemporary Artspace in City Place next month.

What was formerly Sidney’s Coffee Shop in the heritage listed School of Arts Building (established in 1904) will soon become a haven of space for local emerging and established artists to exhibit their work free of charge. 

According to project coordinator and Cairns Regional Council’s inner-city facilities marketing and promotions manager, Simone Roseler, this development is a proactive response by council to answer a strong demand for ‘gallery space’ by the region’s contemporary arts community.

“Up until now, emerging and experimental artists have been compromised in the ability to showcase their work.  This space is specifically designed to answer that need with a gallery that  pushes the boundaries with ongoing exhibitions of exciting new work,” she said.

Circa 1904 will be managed by a dynamic committee comprising arts and a council representative who will essentially guide the gallery’s direction and assess applications.  The actual day-to-day running will be the responsibility of the exhibiting artist who it is envisaged will have a minimum month long residency.

Ms Roseler says she is currently seeking applications from both prospective committee members and artists-in-residence.  Those interested parties are invited to email her on email: s.roseler@cairns.qld.gov.au

Circa 1904 will celebrate its opening on Friday 26 March with a collective exhibition by some of the region’s better known contemporary artists that include Dominic Johns, Roland Nancarrow, Kristin Tennyson, Daniel Wallwork and Barbara Dover, Leith Maguire, Liz Dunn, Sam Tupou and Anna Holan.  However, it is planned that all ensuing exhibitions will be by sole artists.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY: TUESDAY 23 FEBRUARY,  4PM AT CIRCA 1904

A meeting of the artist collective (that will feature works in Circa 1904’s first exhibition) and representatives from Cairns Regional Council overseeing the project will meet at 4pm on Tuesday 23 February 2010 at Circa 1904, City Place.  Media are welcome to attend.

Ends

Contact:

Cairns Regional Council, Inner City Facilities, Marketing and Promotions

Simone Roseler

P: 07 4044 3715 | F: 07 4044 3759 Mob: 0418 699 028

E: s.roseler@cairns.qld.gov.au

Publicity

Pip Miller PR

Telephone: 0419 681543

Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

For immediate Release                                                           Monday 14 December 2009

CITY PLACE & ESPLANADE CONTINUES ITS VERY SUMMERRY XMAS

With the banners up, the tree and decorations in place, Cairns is ready to party.  After a weekend where the popularity of making virtual Xmas cards to spread tropical cheer across the world was unprecedented, festivities of Cairns Regional Council’s A Very SumMerry Christmas look set to continue.

According to project coordinator, Melinda Norris, this week promises another action-packed program of events for the whole community to enjoy.

From outdoor cinema in City Place to free kid’s Christmas decoration and circus workshops the festive activities will culminate in this week’s highlight – the first screening of ‘The Vegemite before Xmas’ – between 6.30pm and 9.30pm on Thursday 18^th December from Sydney’s window in City Place.

This week’s program is as follows:

Wednesday 16 December 2009

• 9am – 10am and 10am – 11am:   

Northern Circus Alliance static trapeze and circus workshops on Northern Esplanade suitable for children 7-15 years. Max. 40 kids per class.

Thursday 17 December 2009

• 9am – 10am and 10am – 11am:   

Northern Circus Alliance static trapeze and circus workshops on Northern Esplanade suitable for children 7-15 years. Max. 40 kids per class.

• 10am – 2pm:

Make your own  Christmas Decoration kids workshop at Esplanade

Friday 18 December 2009

• 9am – 10am and 10am – 11am:   

Northern Circus Alliance static trapeze and circus workshops on Northern Esplanade suitable for children 7-15 years. Max. 40 kids per class.

• 10am – 2pm:

Make your own Christmas Cards kids workshops at Esplanade

• 6.30pm – 9.30pm:

The first screening at Sydney’s window in City Place of The Vegemite before Xmas ; animated film created especially for this year’s A Very SumMerry Christmas.

Created by Annaliese Ciel Walker, this five minute, animated film will continue its screening every evening between 18 December and 24 December 2009.

In her own words, Annaliese says the film is narrated by Sooty, an owl, who invites passersby to listen to a tale of one particular Xmas in Cairns – when the wicked cane toads first arrived and cast a spell over the land – causing the wildlife to lose all memory of Xmas.

Mr S.T. Quoll, who is blinder than a bat, avoids the curse, so must go about helping the residents remember Xmas and its particular traditions – before it is too late.

“The animation is in a style of my own, which incorporates moving street art (stencils) compiled from video and digital images.  The story is in rhyming poetry, and is voiced by a local actor, Magda Palmer Cordingley.  The film has environmental undertones, and features local wildlife including some threatened and endangered species.  I feel it’s important to expose children to local stories, and local issues.” she said.

The film, The Vegemite Before Xmas was written and animated by Annaliese Ciel Walker.

Contact:

Annaliese Ciel Walker    Mobile:   0421 370 492              Email: annaliesecielwalker@gmail.com

Background Information:

This Christmas, Cairns Regional Council is decking the CBD with a distinctly Australian flavour; bringing Cairns’ city heart alive with colour, lighting, lanterns, music, movies, fun and a very large Aussie Christmas tree.

According to Cairns Regional Council’s inner-city facilities marketing and promotions manager, Simone Roseler, this year a concerted effort is being made to recognise Christmas. 

“In a welcome departure from traditional Christmas decorations, a campaign engaging  local artists is well underway creating meaningful decorations and activities that the community can relate to and appreciate.

“Even our Santa will break from the norm – as he rides through the city heart on a unicycle. Add to that, our ukulele choir, locally made decorations, lanterns and a long list of activities – that in combination will light up the Esplanade and City Place for the entire month of December,” she said.

 A SumMerry Christmas officially begins on December 1, 2009 with the installation of the city’s Christmas tree.

The city’s festive program that runs between 1 and 24 December includes Musical Carollers, Creating Xmas Together; the community’s creation of a hanging sculpture featuring recycled objects, the Ukulele Xmas Club, Virtual Xmas Cards (carbon footprint conscious way of spreading cheer via email featuring message with esplanade as backdrop), The Vegemite before Xmas animated short film, Xmas markets, outdoor cinema and a program of Deck the Halls kids workshops.

For more information on activities, times or to view full program, visit www.cairnsesplanade.com.au

Ends

Contact:

Cairns Regional Council, Inner City Facilities, Marketing and Promotions

Simone Roseler

P: 07 4044 3715 | F: 07 4044 3759 Mob: 0418 699 028

E: s.roseler@cairns.qld.gov.au

Information:                 Artist: Louisa Ennis-Thomas (tree) Mob: 0427 337449

                                              Kristin Tennyson (tree) Mob: 0417 175 918 

                                               Justin Hoskins (lanterns) Mob: 0423 760 526

                                               Annaliese Ciel Walker (film) Mob: 0421 370 492             

                                               Melinda Norris (project coordinator) Mob: ph 0400 798 425

Publicity

Pip Miller PR

Telephone: 0419 681543

Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

CITY PLACE & ESPLANADE TREES A’LIGHT WITH CHRISTMAS LANTERNS

Media Call:  10am, Friday 4 December 09 – Giant Fig Tree near Police Beat, Cairns Esplanade

Artist, Justin Hoskins – shows off the giant pineapple and other hand-made lanterns (16 in all) now hanging from the trees in City Place and the Esplanade as part of Cairns Regional Council’s A Very SumMerry Christmas.  The lanterns provide a festive and spectacular vision when they light up the trees from 6pm every night.  Info: Pip Miller PR Mob: 0419 681543

Local sculptor and installation artist, Justin Hoskins has spent most of the last two days in a tree.  With the help of a cherry picker, Justin has been busy, hanging 16 colourful, hand-made lanterns that from now until the end of the festive season, will light up the fig trees in City Place and Esplanade. 

Along with the eight metre high Christmas tree festooned in jumping kangaroos and sun blossoms and 10 double-sided recycled banners sprayed in graffiti art, the lanterns provide a festive flavour to the inner-city for Christmas 2009. 

At yesterday’s launch of the city’s new-look Christmas Tree, Councillor Val Schier said “Using a contemporary, resourceful approach, we have recycled existing decorations with colour and creativity – while observing the traditions of an ‘Aussie Christmas’. For locals and visitors alike, it is hoped that this year’s decorations will focus attention on Tropical Australia and its own version of the festive season.”

The colourful lanterns take a whole range of shapes from the traditional Chinese design to a lotus flower and for fun – a giant pineapple.

According to Justin, the lanterns have cultural elements and some flora based natural attributes to reflect and embrace the colour, richness and vibrance of the region.

“I am largely inspired by nature and some tribal elements to produce one-off sculptures and festival installations from both mild and stainless steel, copper, casting resin and wood.  Quite often I will also incorporate intelligent lighting technologies with a vision to invoke curiosity and bring creative energy to the community,” he said.

The lanterns were built at the Digger Street Arts Collective with help from decor artists Greg Campbell and Sanaz Zahedi.

Digger Street aims to create a sanctuary for the artist to immerse themselves in their art,  It is a self-funding residential space. For information, www.diggerstreet.com

Taking cue from this year’s theme, a Very SumMerry Christmas, Cairns Regional Council has made a special effort to acknowledge the 2009 festive season while drawing on the talents of local artists and students to bring the inner-city to life.

Background Information:

This Christmas, Cairns Regional Council is decking the CBD with a distinctly Australian flavour; bringing Cairns’ city heart alive with colour, lighting, lanterns, music, movies, fun and a very large Aussie Christmas tree.

According to Cairns Regional Council’s inner-city facilities marketing and promotions manager, Simone Roseler, this year a concerted effort is being made to recognise Christmas. 

“In a welcome departure from traditional Christmas decorations, a campaign engaging  local artists is well underway creating meaningful decorations and activities that the community can relate to and appreciate.

“Even our Santa will break from the norm – as he rides through the city heart on a unicycle. Add to that, our ukulele choir, locally made decorations, lanterns and a long list of activities – that in combination will light up the Esplanade and City Place for the entire month of December,” she said.

 A SumMerry Christmas officially begins on December 1, 2009 with the installation of the city’s Christmas tree.

The city’s festive program that runs between 1 and 24 December includes Musical Carollers, Creating Xmas Together; the community’s creation of a hanging sculpture featuring recycled objects, the Ukulele Xmas Club, Virtual Xmas Cards (carbon footprint conscious way of spreading cheer via email featuring message with esplanade as backdrop), The Vegemite before Xmas animated short film, Xmas markets, outdoor cinema and a program of Deck the Halls kids workshops.

For more information on activities, times or to view full program, visit www.cairnsesplanade.com.au

Ends

Contact:

Cairns Regional Council, Inner City Facilities, Marketing and Promotions

Simone Roseler

P: 07 4044 3715 | F: 07 4044 3759 Mob: 0418 699 028

E: s.roseler@cairns.qld.gov.au

Information:                 Artist: Louisa Ennis-Thomas (tree) Mob: 0427 337449

                                              Kristin Tennyson (tree) Mob: 0417 175 918 

                                               Justin Hoskins (lanterns) Mob: 0423 760 526

Publicity

Pip Miller PR

Telephone: 0419 681543

Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

CITY’S CHRISTMAS TREE REBORN WITH AUSSIE ICONS: JUMPING JOEYS, SUN BLOSSOMS & LED LIGHTING

Media opportunity:      Mayor, Val Schier presents this year’s artistically reworked

                                    version of city’s eight metre Christmas Tree

When:                          Wednesday 2 December 09 from 9am

Where:                         City Place, Cairns CBD – Christmas Tree

Information:                 Artists: Louisa Ennis-Thomas Mob: 0427 337449

                                                Kristin Tennyson    

Media Contact:           Pip Miller PR Mob: 0419 681 543 or pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

Calling a start to the city’s festive season and celebrations for 2009, Councillor Val Schier, Mayor of Cairns Regional Council will officially present the city’s eight metre Christmas tree at 9am on Wednesday 2 December 2009. 

Taking cue from this year’s Christmas theme, a very SumMerry Christmas, Councillor Schier said the tree had been given a new lease of life thanks to the creative attention of local artists, Kristin Tennyson and Louisa Ennis-Thomas.

In a welcome departure from traditional tinsel and plastic baubles, this year sees Cairns Regional Council’s Christmas tree take on a distinctly contemporary Australian feel – decorated with stainless steel jumping kangaroo’s, bright red polymer “sun blossoms”, a giant star wrapped in 3000 metres of wire and state of the art LED lighting. 

“I am very proud to unveil our “non-traditional” tree that will be sure to attract attention from both visitors and locals,” said Councillor Schier, Mayor of Cairns Regional Council.

Background Information:

This Christmas, Cairns Regional Council is decking the CBD with a distinctly Australian flavour; bringing Cairns’ city heart alive with colour, lighting, lanterns, music, movies, fun and a very large Aussie Christmas tree.

According to Cairns Regional Council’s inner-city facilities marketing and promotions manager, Simone Roseler, this year a concerted effort is being made to recognise Christmas. 

“In a welcome departure from traditional Christmas decorations, a campaign engaging  local artists is well underway creating meaningful decorations and activities that the community can relate to and appreciate.

“Even our Santa will break from the norm – as he rides through the city heart on a unicycle. Add to that, our ukulele choir, locally made decorations, lanterns and a long list of activities – that in combination will light up the Esplanade and City Place for the entire month of December,” she said.

 A SumMerry Christmas officially begins on December 1, 2009 with the installation of the city’s Christmas tree.

The city’s festive program that runs between 1 and 24 December includes Musical Carollers, Creating Xmas Together; the community’s creation of a hanging sculpture featuring recycled objects, the Ukulele Xmas Club, Virtual Xmas Cards (carbon footprint conscious way of spreading cheer via email featuring message with esplanade as backdrop), The Vegemite before Xmas animated short film, Xmas markets, outdoor cinema and a program of Deck the Halls kids workshops.

For more information on activities, times or to view full program, visit www.cairnsesplanade.com.au

Ends

Contact:

Cairns Regional Council, Inner City Facilities, Marketing and Promotions

Simone Roseler

P: 07 4044 3715 | F: 07 4044 3759 Mob: 0418 699 028

E: s.roseler@cairns.qld.gov.au

Publicity

Pip Miller PR

Telephone: 0419 681543

Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

A VERY SUMMERRY CHRISTMAS IN CAIRNS

Media opportunity:     CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY BEGINS WITH A SPRAY CAN

SCHOOL STUDENTS CREATE SUMMER XMAS COLLECTION OF FESTIVE BANNERS TO DECORATE CBD

11 students (Year 10-12) participating in Education Queensland and TAFE’s Smart Art Starts 2009 program will unveil 10 banners (double sided) featuring their own interpretation of Christmas using aerosol art as taught by artist-in-residence, Daniel Wallwork. The banners, which were given a new lease of life from those originally produced to promote Festival Cairns, will be hung vertically from street lights throughout Cairns CBD as part of Cairns Regional Council’s 2009 SumMERRY Christmas in Cairns.

When:                          Thursday, 26 November 09 from 10.30am to 11.30am

Where:                         S Block, TNQ TAFE campus, Gatton Street, Manunda

Information:                 Graeme Nielsen, Marketing Manager, TNQ TAFE M: 0439 791 594

Media Contact:           Pip Miller PR M: 0419 681 543 or pip@pipmillerpr.com.au

This Christmas, Cairns Regional Council is decking the CBD with a distinctly Australian flavour; bringing Cairns’ city heart alive with colour, lighting, lanterns, music, movies, fun and a very large Aussie Christmas tree.

According to Cairns Regional Council’s inner-city facilities marketing and promotions manager, Simone Roseler, this year a concerted effort is being made to recognise Christmas. 

“In a welcome departure from traditional plastic baubles and tinsel, a campaign engaging  local artists is well underway creating meaningful decorations and activities that the community can relate to and appreciate.

“Even our Santa will break from the norm – as he rides through the city heart on a unicycle. Add to that, our ukulele choir, locally made decorations, lanterns and a long list of activities – that in combination will light up the Esplanade and City Place for the entire month of December,” she said.

 A Summerry Christmas will begin with the hanging of Christmas banners recycled from those originally used to promote Festival Cairns.  Created by 11, Year 10 to 12 school students using aerosol art, the banners feature personal interpretations of Christmas in an impressive collection of 20 artworks.

According to TNQ TAFE’s institute director, Jo Pyne and art teacher Inge Cooper, the banners were produced by students participating in a dynamic new program launched earlier this year in conjunction with Education Queensland. 

Entitled, Smart Art Starts 2009, the program is all about using art as a tool to re-engage senior school students back into the education system by providing artists-in-residence workshops. There is also a focus to providing pathways to TNQ TAFE and /or further education.

This Thursday our third intake of students will complete the Smart Art Starts eight week program when they display their Christmas banners featuring the technique of aerosol art as taught by local artist-in-residence, Daniel Wallwork.

Ends

Contact:

Cairns Regional Council, Inner City Facilities, Marketing and Promotions

Simone Roseler

P: 07 4044 3715 | F: 07 4044 3759 Mob: 0418 699 028

E: s.roseler@cairns.qld.gov.au

Publicity

Pip Miller PR

Telephone: 0419 681543

Email: pip@pipmillerpr.com.au