Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Exhibition Opening For New Whitsunday Gallery

Local creatives are rejoicing after the official opening of a new gallery in Airlie Beach which hopes to become a home for the Whitsundays’ artists and their artworks.

The 3 Little Birds Espresso & Creative Hub conducted its first open weekend starting from Friday, November 4, and ending on Sunday, November 6, inviting the Whitsunday community in to view nine artists’ works across the mediums of paint and sculpture.

The local artists displaying their pieces included Brigette Peel, Courtenay Vivian, Angela Vivian, Agnes Durbet, Bernard Avantin, Pam Harrison, Leah Warren, and Nelida Avila.

Another of the artists, Joan Hunter of JHunter Creations, curated and opened the gallery alongside her two sisters as an extension of their business, 3 Little Birds Espresso, which is situated next door.

“When we opened up our café, we started meeting local artists who wanted a space to display their artwork,” Ms Hunter said.

“When we were given the opportunity to take over this space next door, we thought: This is how we can support the creatives in our local community.

“We want to be a voice of people at all levels of artistic capability.”

The official gallery opening on Friday was named ‘A Day With an Artist in Airlie Art Exhibition’ and introduced locals to the space and the artworks, as well as hosting live music by Whitsunday musician Lucy Sherrington.

“A Day With an Artist In Airlie is a concept we came up with thinking that, even if it’s not local, if they’re international, national, we can host them,” she said.

“It doesn’t need to be a visual art either, we have the space for sculptures and even movement; we’re limited only by our imagination.”

Ms Hunter said the gallery is “an organic space” where malleability is key, with it already being utilised to host Central Queensland University creative workshops.

“If we need to, we can adapt it; add false walls, chop and change it, host workshops” she said.

“It’s not a clinical environment, it’s a creative space where people’s creativity can flow.”

The 3 Little Birds Espresso and Creative Hub plan to continue hosting exhibitions, as well as Paint & Sip sessions, workshops, and more, including potential collaborations with Whitsunday Arts Festival.

Locals turned out in droves for the official opening night of the 3 Little Birds Creative Hub in Airlie Beach, a new home for Whitsunday artists

Image: Hannah Hannon-Worthington

In other news