Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
By Glenda Brown, President Creative Connections Whitsunday
Recent media coverage surrounding the Doyles Art Award has sparked an important conversation across Australia's arts community. An award-winning landscape painting has been identified as closely resembling an earlier work by another artist, prompting an investigation into how the work was accepted and whether the prize money can be recovered.
Whatever the outcome of that investigation, it serves as a timely reminder that originality is one of the foundations of artistic practice.
As we prepare for the Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition later this month, Creative Connections Whitsundays encourages all artists to ensure that the work they submit is genuinely their own original creation.
Copyright is far more than a legal requirement. It is about respecting the time, skill, and creativity that every artist invests in their work. In today's digital world, where photographs and images can be found online within seconds, it can be easy to forget that most of these works remain protected by copyright.
Artists often unintentionally cross the line by painting directly from someone else's photograph, closely reproducing another artist's work, or using images from social media, websites, or films without permission. While copying for private practice or study is generally acceptable, exhibiting, selling, or teaching from those works without permission is not.
The simplest rule is this: create your own reference material whenever possible, seek permission if you wish to use someone else's work, and always acknowledge your sources.
Originality is what gives art its value. Every artist brings a unique perspective, shaped by their own experiences, observations and imagination. By respecting copyright and celebrating authentic creative expression, we help build a stronger, more ethical arts community where every artist's contribution is valued.
As artists, we all share a responsibility to protect the integrity of our creative community. Original ideas deserve recognition, and originality will always be worth celebrating.
Creative Connections Whitsundays is delighted to announce Linda Forrester as the winner of the inaugural Bendigo Community Bank People's Choice Award at the Community Gallery in Proserpine.
Voting opened on the Gallery's official opening night on 4 June and continued throughout the inaugural exhibition, with visitors invited to vote for their favourite artwork. Linda's striking fine art print, Radiant Depths, emerged as the clear favourite.
Inspired by the beauty of the underwater world, Radiant Depths captivated visitors with its depiction of sunlight filtering through crystal-clear water to illuminate the reef below. Many commented on the artwork's vibrant colours, sense of depth, and the way it captured the magic and tranquility of the Whitsundays' marine environment.
The People's Choice Award reflects one of the Community Gallery's core aims – to connect artists with the community and encourage visitors to engage with the diverse range of local creative talent on display.
Just one month after opening its doors, the Creative Connections Whitsunday Community Gallery has completed its very first gallery changeover, giving locals and visitors a whole new reason to visit.
One of the things that makes the gallery unique is that it isn't a permanent collection.
Each month, 27 exhibiting artists refresh their displays with new artworks and handcrafted merchandise, while new artists join the gallery.
Every visit offers something different to discover.
This month's changeover welcomes internationally exhibited contemporary artist Elmira Hooshangi, whose vibrant abstract paintings explore emotion, colour and texture, and award-winning aerial photographer Ingrid Hendriksen, whose breathtaking images reveal Australia from remarkable new perspectives.
Visitors will also find exciting new works from many of Creative Connections Whitsunday’s existing artists, including local stained glass artist Liz Knight, whose distinctive glass sculptures and artworks combine traditional craftsmanship with driftwood, reclaimed timber and other natural materials.
From paintings and photography to glass art, ceramics, jewellery, textiles, woodwork and unique handmade gifts, the gallery showcases an extraordinary range of locally created work, all under one roof.
As a community-run gallery, every visit supports local artists and helps Creative Connections Whitsunday continue creating opportunities for artists across our region.
If you visited the Gallery last month, they’d love to welcome you back and show you what's changed. And if you haven't visited yet, now is the perfect time to discover why the Community Gallery will be different every month.
What: Community Gallery
Where: 192 Main Street, Proserpine
When: Monday to Friday: 9.00am – 4.00pm and Saturday: 9.00am – 1.00pm
Love art? Enjoy meeting people?
Join Creative Connections Whitsunday for a relaxed Volunteer Morning Tea and discover how you can become part of our friendly Community Gallery team.
When: 10am-12pm Sunday 25 July
Where: Community Gallery, Prosperine
Whitsundays Writers Festival
Richard Evans
Festival Director and President
hello@whitsundayswriters.com
Book early to secure your place at the 2026 Whitsundays Writers Festival, 13 September at www.whitsundayswriters.com/2026-programme-speakers
Creative Connections Whitsunday
Glenda Brown
President
info@creativeconnectionwhitsunday.com
Visit the Community Gallery in Proserpine and save the date 30 July to 2 August for the Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition.
Together, these two organisations champion the creative spirit of the Whitsundays – supporting writers, artists, and the cultural life of our region.
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