Creative Spaces publication

As part of the acquittal for the grant provided by the Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) for Creative Spaces 2012 Fiona Dempster created a 37 page blog book of the whole event.

Shown below are the cover and a couple of openings of the book to give an idea of the quality, form and content of the book.

Basically the book includes the content and photos of all the blog posts that reported on the Creative Spaces 2012 event from the announcement of the receipt of the grant from the SCC right through to the last event - the art4place end of year celebration and launch of Peace in the Trees at Maleny Retreat.

The blog book provides a great record of the event; recognises the artists who participated; and provides the SCC with a unique record for grant acquittal purposes.

An art4place artists' celebration

Last night art4place members and Peace in the Trees sandstone sculptural artists joined together in a celebration at Maleny Retreat.

The event had a number of purposes but the most important were thanking the Maleny Retreat Gang for allowing us to do the Peace in the Trees placemaking art activity on their property; officially launch the Peace in the Trees installation with the artists who created the sandstone monoliths; and officially close Creative Spaces 2012.


The 5.5minute video below takes you on a walk visiting  the sandstone monoliths that make up Peace in the Trees.

And of course there are many other photos of artists checking the installation out and generally celebrating this achievement. There was a real joyful spirit as folk wandered around and checked out, admired and discussed the monoliths.

©2012 Fiona Dempster - Artists gather for the launch of Peace in the Trees

©2012 Barry Smith - Folk wandering - checking out the 12 sandstone monoliths

©2012 Noela Mills - Cathy L and Christine E enjoying the celebration

©Noela Mills - Ken M resting, bubbles in hand, on his reclining monolith - Be Still

There is something special about a community of artists gathering, celebrating and just connecting; and what better event to do that at than the launch of Peace in the Trees.

Visiting Peace in the Trees

On the 6 October the public were able to access three Creative Spaces 2012 activities: Noela's installation of sails - Sailing Inland; Cathy and children's display of the Creatures of the Obi Obi in the Maleny Library; and the sculptural installation Peace in the Trees.

The Peace in the Trees sculptural installation of 12 sandstone monoliths is located in trees at Maleny Retreat. The monoliths were carved by  12 local artists who volunteered two days of their time to create pieces that reflected nature, the environment or some aspect of peace and peacefulness.  Wendy van der Drift is a member of art4place; and she and other residents of Maleny Retreat (Maria, Michael and Roman) gave permission for this installation to be carved, installed and open to the public at certain times.

On Saturday 6 October the installation was open for the second time between 10am and 4pm. As you can see from the photos below couples and small groups of visitors took the opportunity to view this unique sculptural installation.  

©2012 E-A Murray - Visiting Peace in the Trees 1

©2012 E-A Murray - Visiting Peace in the Trees 2

©2012 E-A Murray - Visiting Peace in the Trees 3

As visitors meandered through the trees they could stop and reflect on each of the monoliths - the 12 artists had provided a brief description of the message behind their work.

©2012 E-A Murray - Judy G's - Reflection 

©2012 E-A Murray - Kim M's - Solace 

©2012 E-A Murray - Carolyn S's - Heartfelt 

To some visitors it may have seemed that the 12 artists have made but a small impression on the large stones as much of the stone remains natural and unmarked by chisel and hammer. One of the important aspects of this placemaking art installation is to let the combination of sculptural work and the stones themselves tell their story - nature will continue the creative process.

These monoliths will peacefully merge more with the trees as they age; and visitors will be invited to reflect on peace and the natural environment that is so much a part of Maleny Retreat.

Water creatures of the Obi Obi display

Cathy Lawley worked with two groups of children (Water Dragon group and Platypus group - 17 in each group)  to crate; glaze and then install their Water Dragons and Platypi in the two display cases at the local Maleny Library. This was all part of the Creative Space's Water Creatures of the Obi Obi placemaking activity.

As you can see both cases are just filled to the brim with finished works.

What an amazing hands on way of learning about these important creatures who live in the creek just behind the library. See just a few of the raku fired pieces on display.

I'm sure that the 34 children who took part in this activity;  their families; and now the broader community will be much more aware of these special creatures and their place in our environment.

Creative Spaces 2012 was sponsored by the Sunshine Coast Council; and the Water Creatures of the Obi Obi was made possible through the support of staff of the Maleny Library - thanks.

'Sailing Inland' continued

My second day of installing my sails at Gerrard's Lookout went well.
I chatted to lots of people and many were quite impressed with the concept.
I set thinks up a bit differently yesterday - sails on both sides of the road and I sat in the shade under a convenient tree [35deg in the sun], where most people needed to pass me to get to the lookout - ample opportunities for a casual chat.
Thanks to Christine for helping me set up, Ken for the morning coffee, and of course a huge thank you to Barry for the behind the scenes paper work to make the whole art4place 'Creative Spaces' viable.