Funding approved for laneway “bee-utification” project

The project, dubbed the “BeeMindful Project” is an initiative of the Mackay City Heart Collective and is inspired by the bees that have long existed within the walls of the building on Seventh Lane.

Grant applicant Tammy Laval said artists Kirmsone and Scott Nagy would consult with local flora and fauna enthusiast Maya Harrison and local business CannonBee (who have helped relocate bees from the area before) to create a mural that pays tribute to these critical pollinators.

The grant was one of 13 projects supported by this round of Regional Arts Development Fund funding, with a total value of $74,344.

RADF Committee chair Cr Fran Mann said the committee congratulated the Mackay City Heart Collective on their dedication to placemaking within the Mackay region.

“Tammy Laval has plenty of runs on the board when it comes to delivering amazing mural projects that activate spaces,” Cr Mann said.

“The committee believes this mural project will be a wonderful, vibrant addition to the City Centre and is supportive of the way it will tell a story about the bees that call the area home,” she said.

Also receiving a $5030 RADF grant was Lanna Mack’s community wellbeing project “Teacher Being”.

Cr Mann said “Teacher Being” was a Visual Art Exhibition aimed to promote conversations about the mental, social, physical and emotional impact of being a teacher in today's society.

Ms Mack said, through art, she aimed to bring attention and conversation to “the teacher”.

She said she had a personal perspective of the mental, social, emotional and physical states her colleagues and her have experienced and continue to experience, particularly in response to the pandemic.

“My artworks reflect relevant and current topics of the teacher-shortage crisis, ever-increasing demands on teachers, early attrition and the repercussions of stress on teachers,” Ms Mack said.

“This is a brave and creative way to highlight a very pertinent topic,” Cr Mann said.

Teacher Being will be held at CQUniversity Gallery 31, Mackay, from October 19 to 24, 2023.

The RADF is a partnership between the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and eligible local councils across the state.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said as part of this successful, long-term collaboration, the Queensland Government provided $2.13 million for RADF 2022–2023 to a total of 59 local councils, who contributed a co-investment amount of over $1.9 million.

“Established in 1991, RADF is a long-standing success story between the Queensland Government and regional councils, enabling local artists and arts workers to tell their rich and unique stories, boosting regional employment opportunities and other positive economic outcomes”, Minister Enoch said.

“For 31 years RADF has provided a legacy of creating new art and cultural experiences for Queensland audiences and communities, and a platform for professional development and growth across the regional arts sector.”

Also funded during this funding round were:

• Leah Tranter to host a textile upcycling workshop - $6450
• James Slade to host the 2023 Rhythm and the Reef music and arts festival - $10,000
• Grace McDonald to assist in research and development of recycled glass for future
  giftware lines and exhibit in Mackay - $11,390
• Glenn Christensen to host the Fifth Mackay Chamber Music Festival - $4400
• Tiffany Grace to promote and provide videography for an upcoming EP launch - $4456
• Frank Cowell to host an International Men’s Day 2023 Art Show - $1900
• Lisa Mason to design and create a mural for Koumala State School - $1600
• Margaret Ross to host an Unheard Voices 15-year showcase event - $1968
• Amanda Brown for hosting Behind Blue Eyes, a comedy event to raise funds for
  Real Mates Talk - $5450
• Pamela Tate to host Crafting for Wellbeing weekend workshop - $4700
• Kristy Harper to host Mack PopCon - $8000