Deck Celebrations
The Courthouse Art Gallery “Lakeside Deck” has been officially opened and celebrated!
The past few weeks have been an exciting but hectic time, with workers and volunteers finishing off “THE LAKESIDE DECK”, organising the official opening, and organising the community celebration “Art and Music in the Park” which incorporated an additional art exhibition starring several Kilcoy State High School Year 11 and 12 art students!
Final touches were still being applied to the now completed deck at the Courthouse Art Gallery hours before the official opening which was held on the evening of Sunday 9th September. And what an evening it was! The deck stood the test of over 100 guests, including officials, sponsors, local supporting businesses, plank purchasers and of course, KASI members!
KASI President Di Taylor welcomed everyone to the auspicious occasion, explaining that it took nearly 5 years for KASI’s dream to be finally realised and how it would not have been possible without the efforts of all those who supported KASI’s project in some way to make the deck a reality. It was all worth the effort looking out across the scenic Fred Greensill Lake and Yowie Park grounds and the deck will certainly be an asset to Courthouse Art Gallery and the Kilcoy community.
Somerset Region Mayor Graeme Lehmann cut the ribbon across the gallery doorway to the deck and drew the curtain on the beautiful timber plaque which announced the deck’s name “THE LAKESIDE DECK” and acknowledges major sponsors, builder Jim Traves, volunteers and contributors.
As it was also the gallery’s 25th quarterly exhibition and 6th birthday since the building was moved to Yowie Park, a huge cake celebrating the anniversary, birthday and deck opening was jointly cut by KASI Patron and Life Member, Terry Dredge and deck Project Manager and KASI member, Leonie Shirley.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this a very special night.
KASI then held “Art and Music in the Park” from 2pm, last Saturday 15th September in Yowie Park.
This event was made possible through the provision of a Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) to KASI. The Regional Arts Development Fund is a Queensland Government, through Arts Queensland and Somerset Regional Council, partnership to support local arts and culture.
The weather was perfect for the event, which included watercolour and drawing demonstrations, instruction on how to paint a ‘Mini Masterpiece’ with acrylics, and a children’s colouring in competition. Six local children won prizes in the colouring in competition – 3 in the under 7 years and 3 in the 7 years and over category.
All that attended said that it was a relaxing and joyful atmosphere, many people participating in the art activities or simply lounging back with a glass of wine or cleansing ale on their rug or campchair listening to the festive Cuban tones of Maleny band ‘Canta La Tumba’ who performed on the gallery’s new deck!
The Lions Club supported the event by cooking and serving over 150 free sausage sandwiches. Yowie Coffee and Winya Wines also had their quality beverages for sale.
Thank you to everyone who came along to “Art and Music in the Park” to celebrate the opening of our new deck, and to those community groups and local businesses who supported the event and last but not least, to all KASI members and supporters (you know who you are) who worked tirelessly to ensure the day was a success.
“THE LAKESIDE DECK” is officially open!
Click here to view more photos of the two events.