Friday, September 26, 2025

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Renowned Sculptor Comes To The Whitsundays

The Whitsundays arts community is set to welcome internationally acclaimed sculptor Peter Syndicas as part of the 2025 Artist in Residence (AIR) program, an initiative led by ARI Whitsundays in collaboration with the Whitsundays Arts Festival.

Syndicas, known for his innovative and large-scale works, will spend time immersed in the Whitsundays’ cultural and natural landscape, drawing inspiration from the region’s stunning environment to create new art. His most recent piece, the striking 11-metre-long Celestial Lifeform, is currently on display in Adelaide’s new luxury shopping centre, Burnside Village.

As part of the residency, a Community Artist Forum and Arts Workshop will be held at the Gloucester Sports and Recreation Centre in Hydeaway Bay on Saturday, 27 September, from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Local artists and art lovers will have the opportunity to join Syndicas in discussions and hands-on activities exploring the creative process, the connection between art and the environment, and strategies for engaging with public art.

“We are excited to bring together artists from across the region for this forum and workshop,” said Jess Begun, Director, Whitsundays Arts Festival.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to foster creative dialogue and share the ways in which art can be a bridge between people and place. I look forward to connecting with the Whitsundays community and exploring new ways to collaborate.”

Mary Ann Santin, creator and coordinator of ARI Whitsundays, said the program marks a significant milestone for the local arts scene.

“We are delighted to welcome Peter Syndicas as our 2025 Artist in Residence. His commitment to pushing boundaries and his innovative approach to visual art align perfectly with the ARI Whitsundays’ mission to support and nurture artistic talent. This is an exciting moment for both the artist and the Whitsundays’ visual arts community.”

The Artist in Residence program is designed to foster creativity, cultural exchange, and artistic development in the region, with a strong focus on community engagement and legacy building.

For more information or to secure tickets for the upcoming forum and workshop, visit www.whitsundaysartsfestival.org.

Peter Syndicas with his latest sculpture, the 11-metre-long Celestial Lifeform in Adelaide’s new Luxury Shopping Centre, Burnside Village (Photo Supplied)

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