Artspace explores climate change with kids in pop-up venue

The activities can be enjoyed by families and visitors of all ages and abilities.

The Artspace team will take over the old Video Ezy building on the corner of Victoria and Nelson streets from Tuesday, January 19, to Friday, January 29.

The drop-in activities will give young artists a creative outlet during the last weeks of the school holidays while Artspace Mackay is closed for maintenance to the foyer and floors.

Budding artists can engage with hands-on art-making activities encouraging them to reflect on climate change and the environment.

The activities, called Now is the Time: Kids on Tour, are an initiative of Queensland Art Gallery’s Gallery of Modern Art.

Client and Community Services director Angela Hays said “Now is the Time” would be presented in more than 100 venues throughout Queensland and the Torres Strait.

She said the program introduced children to the democratic process and invited them to explore the themes of environment and climate change by designing messages on different mediums, including T-shirts, posters and post-it notes.

“Australian artist Raquel Ormella, who helped designed these activities, was inspired by the current generation of young adults who are standing up for the environment and expressing their feeling about the future of our planet,” Ms Hays said.

“Through these free touring art activities, children across the state are able to reflect on and contribute to the dialogue on climate change in thoughtful and creative ways,” she said.

“There will be art activities for all ages and abilities, so bring your friends and family and stay for a few minutes or a few hours and visit as many times as you’d like.”

Drop-in activities run from 10am to 1pm, Tuesday, January 19, to Sunday, January 24, and

2pm to 5pm, Wednesday, January 27 to Friday, January 29.

Parental supervision is essential and parental assistance is required for younger children who will need extra hands for this activity.

Seats are limited for COVID 19 reasons and social distancing applies. For more information, head to www.artspacemackay.com.au