Cardboard engineers invited to craft art city

Of course, cities don’t build themselves – construction requires a community and leaders with vision.

That’s where the Mackay community and an internationally-renowned artist couple come in.

Artspace is looking to rally would-be cardboard engineers for a series of free family workshops.

Cr Fran Mann said crafty families would be guided by amazing Australian artists Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan, who moved to Australia from the Philippines in 2006.

She said the duo would be visiting the Mackay region from this Sunday (March 24) as part of an artists’ residency program.

“Alfredo and Isabel’s Project Another Country has seen them working with communities around the world to create complex installations that reflect themes of migration, displacement and community,” Cr Mann said.

“We are lucky enough to have them with us here in Mackay to work with locals to create their new work called ‘Take root (Colony)’,” she said.

“The Aquilizans will lead a series of workshops where the cardboard structures that make up the giant art installation will be created from Sunday (March 24) to next Friday (March 29).

“On Sunday, they will start work with families at Artspace Mackay, followed by workshops at George Street Neighbourhood Centre and Dudley Denny City Library on Monday.  From Tuesday to Thursday, workshops will be held at various schools.”

“These workshops are free and allow participants to contribute their own cardboard structures that will be added to the huge installation exhibition in the FIELD Engineers Gallery.”

Free, drop-in family workshops (no bookings required) will be held at:

> Artspace Mackay, 10am to 2pm, Sunday, March 24

> George Street Neighbourhood Centre, World Cafe, 9:30am to 12:30pm, Monday, March 25

> Dudley Denny City Library, after-school workshop, 3:30pm to 5pm, Monday, March 25

If you miss out, don’t worry, because school holiday family drop-in activities will be held from April 6 to 21 in the workshop room of Artspace Mackay. Residents will also be able to assist with installation of the exhibition from June 14 to August 14.

This community art project is supported by Glencore’s Hail Creek Mine Community Development Fund and the Artspace Mackay Foundation.