Noela Lowien

Noela Lowien
I live in the small, picturesque country town of Kilcoy, Queensland, in the Somerset Region, which is rich in culture and history. A descendant of five local pioneering families, I am very involved in our local Historical Society, being the research and publishing officer with around 16 local books successfully published to date, from 1992 to 2014, along with the successful collation and design of the 2015-16 Kilcoy History Trail business signage project. This brings about my aspiration to paint local and historical scenes, combining my nostalgia-laced interests of history and art. Always living in our rural district, there is a special interest in travelling through our range of beautiful Australian landscapes, using varieties of colours and techniques to portray them on canvas. Subject matter, media and techniques vary from time to time – a pleasurable experience, bringing delight to the day when I desire a change of pace and direction.
I am a current active member of Kilcoy Art Society Inc, and previously Kilcoy Art Group Inc., and Somerset Art Society Inc. and Kilcoy Show Society Painting in all mediums, I have exhibited with success at district shows and my work can be viewed at local venues.

Awards
2025, 2023, 2021, Kilcoy Show Champion
2025: 3rd prize- SASI Small is Beautiful Competition
2024: 1st prize- SASI Small is Beautiful Competition
2019: Somerset Regional Council Australia Day Arts and Cultural Award
2019: Life Membership Kilcoy Art Society Inc.
2017; 2018; 2021: 2023; 2024 Reserve Champion Exhibit Kilcoy Show
2013: Commended (2) Moore Art Awards & Exhibition
2008: 1st Prize Portrait Esk Multicultural Arts Exhibition
2008: Major Award Kilcoy Shire Council Australia Day Cultural Achievement Award
2006: 1st prize Linville School Open Exhibition
2005, 2009, 2011, 2019, 2023; 2024 Woodford Show Champion exhibit
2005: 3rd Prize Linville School Open Exhibition
2001 – 2025: Most Successful Art Exhibitor Kilcoy Pastoral Agricultural & Industrial Show
1998, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015: Esk Show Champion exhibit; (Peoples’ Choice Esk 2012)
1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2014: Champion Exhibits Kilcoy Show
1998, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2018: Toogoolawah Show Champion exhibit
1998: 2nd Prize Kilcoy Art Group Open Exhibition
1996, 1997, 1998, 2010, 2012: Woodford Art Group Exhibition Prizes (Peoples’ Choice 2002)
1996: Peoples’ Choice Kilcoy Art Group Open Exhibition
1995-2025: Kilcoy, Esk, Toogoolawah, Woodford & Crows Nest Shows – Multiple Prize-winning Oil, Acrylics, Watercolour, Pastel, Pen & Wash, Pencil. All subjects.

Publications:
Somerset Region Cultural Directory, 2025 – entry for Fine Arts, Floral Art, and Calligraphy
Qld Country Life Editorial segment for Fine Art, 3 August 2006
Kilcoy Sentinel, Cultural achievers segment, 18 April 2001

Artwork Presentations and Donations to Organisations:
Kilcoy Shire Council Chambers, Kilcoy Shire Mayoral Ball, Kilcoy State High School, Kilcoy District Historical Society, Kilcoy RSL, Kilcoy Bowls Club, Kilcoy Motel, Kilcoy Exchange Hotel, Kilcoy Lions Club, Kilcoy Wood Wine & Art Festival, Kilcoy Show Society, Woodford Historical Society 2001 Federation Centenary Celebrations, Esk Shire Council Chambers.

Other Art Achievements:
Active member Kilcoy Art Group from 1994
Active and founding member of Kilcoy Art Society Inc
Active in various Kilcoy Community organisations since c1980
Judging of Junior Artwork for Kilcoy Shire Council Australia Day Celebration, 1998
Judging of Kilcoy State High School Art Acquisitions, student artwork from 2002-2015
Judging Woodford Show
Organisational Assistance for Kilcoy Art Group Annual Exhibitions & Kilcoy Art Society Inc art workshops
Fine Arts Chief Steward Kilcoy Pastoral Agricultural & Industrial Show, 2014 to current
Kilcoy Wood Wine & Art Festival- Chief Art co-ordinator from 2000 to 2013
Leukemia Foundation “Cows on Parade” fundraiser, painting of fibreglass cows 2001
Hunting Lodge Estate B&B Murals, 2005
Kilcoy Show Society Pavilion Community Mural, 2010
Kilcoy Art Gallery tile murals, 2009
Yowie Park Yowie Board painting, 2003, 2012 and 2025
Tuition experience in all mediums with various professional artists.
Commission artwork for private collections. Instagram/Facebook artwork exposure
Group & Solo Exhibitions

Group & Solo Exhibitions:
The Cottage Restaurant, Ipswich, 2023- current
2 Galahs Gallery Toogoolawah – current
Somerset Regional Gallery, Condensery, Toogoolawah, 2025 “The Show” (major group exhibition)
Jallas Café Woodford, 2007, 2011, 2020, 2025
Glen Rock Gallery, Esk, 2019, 2020, 2024, 2025
Somerset Regional Gallery, Condensery, Toogoolawah, 2016, 2020, 2024 (group), 2025 (group)
Brisbane Valley Art Competitions from 2008 – current
Lowood Art Gallery 2025
Dalby Art Gallery 2025
Other exhibition venues ahead

Kilcoy Art Society Inc Artist of the Month 2013, 2014, 2018, 2021, 2024
Brisbane Air Show 2022
Somerset Regional Gallery, Condensery, Toogoolawah, 2021 (major exhibition)
Somerset Region Art Beat, Toogoolawah, 2019, 2021
MacGregor Lions Westfield Art Extravaganza, 2019
Rosalie Gallery, Goombungee, 2018
Maleny Garden, 2017
Crea-art-ivity Xpo, Moore, 2014
Special Guest Art Display Woodford Library- 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013
Tenterfield Gallery 2009 – 2013
Woongooroo Estate & Winery, 2010
Kilcoy State School Art Show 2009
Ringsfield House, Nanango, 2009
Kilcoy Art Society Inc, Courthouse Gallery from 2006
Woodford Art Group from 1996
Kilcoy Art Group Inc from 1994

Tuition experience with professional artists include:
Brian Allison, Bernice Grisen-Jones, Caroline Darcy-Mangen, Jill Reilly, Peter Hughes, Eric Whisson, Tony Zammit, Karol Oakley, John Wilson, Ross Paterson, Todd Whisson, Pamela Scherfe, Jenni Kelly, Michelle Retschlag, Terry Wilkinson, Anne Tracey-Harris, Helen Beaver, Maria Field, Barry Back, Don Milner, Liz & Chris Kusay, Jeanne Cotter; Cees Sliedricht; SRC Social Media Workshop 2019; Soy Wax candle making 2019, Deb Mostert.

Australia Day Awards 2019 – Art and Culture Award excerpt
Noela Lowien – Noela is a founding member of both the Kilcoy Art Society and Kilcoy District Historical Society. She is a well-respected artist with her works on display throughout Somerset. Over the past two years Noela has designed the Kilcoy History Trail with more than 100 plaques places throughout the town. As a dedicated member of the Kilcoy Art Society and Kilcoy District Historical Society, Noela is an inspiration to her community. Noela has written more than 15 books for the historical society, along with implementing the Kilcoy history trail. Her artwork portrays our landscapes and history and has been displayed in art galleries and businesses throughout Somerset.