Fraser Coast Scene - August 2023

WORKS OF HEART

ARTIST PROFILE: KEVIN ROGERS

COVER IMAGE:

Kym Latter, Sam the Happy Skating Yeti (detail) 2022. Recycled materials.

2022 Waste to Art Competition entry. Entries are now open for the 2023 Waste to Art Competition.

Fraser Coast Regional Council acknowledges to the east, the Butchulla (Badtjala) and to the west, the Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) People, their connection to Country (land, sea and sky) and recognises the many places of cultural, spiritual, social and economic significance in the community.

www.ourfrasercoast.com.au

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We pay our respects to their Elders – past, present and emerging. The Fraser Coast Regional Council also acknowledges other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who reside in and have connections with the Fraser Coast Region.

Story: Dan Walker | Photo: Cody Fox

He remembers it like it was yesterday, a young Kevin Rogers was standing on the observation deck of Sydney’s AMP Building with his father, admiring bustling Circular Quay and the ferries cutting their way across the glistening harbour – the impressive arch of the Harbour Bridge to his le and the shells of the Opera House emerging from a busy construction site to his right. He recalls this moment in 1964 so fondly, not just because of the impressive panorama but because it was at this very moment that he felt compelled to sketch what he witnessed.

Armed with a sketch pad, tin of Faber Castells and ‘How to Draw Animals’ by Walter Foster, he began experimenting with pencil illustration techniques and plein-air drawing whenever he could. He has been experimenting ever since.

A fast learner, Rogers won his first art competition at 13. It was the first of many with countless awards now to his name – including first place in the prestigious ‘Katherine Prize’, a worldwide colour pencil competition, and recognised as a ‘Master Pencil Artist’ by the Coloured Pencil Community of Australasia Inc – the only artist in Queensland to achieve this honour.

Art hasn’t always come first though with Rogers joining the Air Force in 1977 and serving for twenty years, seeing him travel extensively before settling in Hervey Bay to

STAY INSPIRED!

This guide shares a taste of Council’s arts, culture and heritage program and was correct at time of printing. To keep up to date with the latest information visit our website.

We welcome contributions from our creative community. To find out more email: ArtsCulture@frasercoast.qld.gov.au

work as a graphic designer in 1997. Five years later he was o again, working as he travelled until 2009 when Kevin settled in the Northern Territory. Here he built his first art gallery using galvanised iron salvaged from an abandoned army barracks and Kevin formally retired to focus on his passion.

Now on the Fraser Coast, Kevin finds strength and therapy in art and music.

“When I sit in my studio and draw, all of my pain and troubles are quickly forgotten,” he reveals.

When not drawing outdoors, Rogers works from a source photo that resonates with him. On first inspection, you’d be forgiven for mistaking one of Rogers’ drawings for a photograph, such is the exquisite level of detail he painstakingly adds to each one. It is not unusual for him to invest over two hundred hours into a single piece.

You can admire some of Kevin’s works in the Hervey Bay Art Society 39th Annual Competitive Art Exhibition held at Gatakers Artspace from Friday 28 July until Sunday 10 September.

Fraser Coast Scene is distributed free as a marketing and engagement initiative of Fraser Coast Regional Council. It’s about promoting Council’s programs and services by sharing stories of our arts and cultural community and their connection to Council’s spaces.

Contents are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or part without written permission.

My art is my peaceful place.

– Kevin Rogers

www.ourfrasercoast.com.au

Burn the Floor

Tue 1 Aug | 7.30PM

World renown dance company Burn the Floor joins with Indigenous super star Mitch Tambo to create a brand-new dance production.

Queen: It’s a kinda magic

Thu 3 Aug | 8PM

Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic is back by popular demand this August for their first Australian tour in two years!

Marcia Hines - Still Shining

Sat 12 Aug | 7.30pm

Australia’s beloved musical treasure, with a career spanning five decades, will spend the second half of 2023 touring the regional cities and towns of Australia.

Hans - Disco Spektakulär

Fri 8 Sep | 10am, 1PM & 6PM

Mr and Mrs Twit are the nastiest couple you could ever hope (not) to meet. Both are on a quest to be meaner than the other – but, is there someone out there who can outtwit the Twits? Packed with Dahlicious mischief, hilarious mayhem and big belly laughs, The Twits is an unmissable fun for all ages

Fri 15 Sep | 7PM

Rising like a purple feathered phoenix from the ashes, Hans is set to get the party started with a slew of disco hits. You’ll laugh! You’ll cry! You’ll leave covered in glitter!!

WHAT’S ON | AUGUST 2023

5 Walker Street, Maryborough 4122 6060

Box Office Open Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 4pm

Morning Melodies - Jenny Wynter By Request

Thu 17 Aug | 11 AM

Songbird and improvised comedy queen Jenny Wynter performs By Request, the “side-splitting cabaret” which is never the same show twice.

Soweto Gospel Choir - Hope

Fri 25 Aug | 7.30pm

An all-new concert by 3-time Grammy®-winning Soweto Gospel Choir; including traditional freedom songs through to artists like James Brown and Aretha Franklin.

Luke Kidgell - Happy Hour

Mon 11 Sep | 8pm

After his sold out International ‘Cheers to that!’ tour, Luke Kidgell is back on the road with his brand new show ‘Happy Hour’.

The Sunshine Club

Thu 21 Sep | 7.30PM

Heralded as a “brilliant new landmark in Australian musicals” (The Australian), The Sunshine Club is written and directed by proud Noonuccal Nuugi man Wesley Enoch AM, an acclaimed creative force in Australian Theatre. This energetic and engaging musical play has a variety of music styles, with 28 songs composed by the esteemed John Rodgers.

Brolga Live @ Gundiah

Sat 23 Sep | 1PM - 4PM

Brolga Live @ is back in Gundiah for an afternoon of songs and sunshine.

GUNDIAH

166 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay 4197 4206

FREE ENTRY Open Tuesday to Friday: 10am - 4pm

Weekends: 10am - 2pm.

EXHIBITIONS: UNTIL SUN 27 AUG

EVENTS

Fred Leone: Yirimi Gundir launch + local showcase

Fri 25 Aug | 6PM

Celebrate the launch of Butchulla songman and musician Fred Leone’s latest single ‘Yirimi Gundir’ with a live performance in front of an all-ages hometown crowd at HBRG.

Gordon Hookey: A MURRIALITY

Renowned Waanyi artist Hookey presents perspectives on historical and contemporary issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, across sculpture, printmaking, video, and large-scale painting.

WORKSHOPS

Teach Your Craft

Sat 19 Aug | 10AM - 4PM

Hear from visual artist and cultural practitioner, Alex Stalling on tips for how to develop and present your art practice as a creative workshop.

Documenting Your Art

Sun 27 Aug | 10AM - 4PM

Origin Story

Inspired by our state’s passion for the greatest sporting rivalry of all time, Origin Story brings together artists from across the region to reflect on the cultural contribution of State of Origin to Queensland’s identity.

Learn how to take professional photographs of 2D and 3D artwork and discover camera tricks and tips with Joachim Froese.

Images (top le ): Installation detail, Gordon Hookey: A MURRIALITY at HBRG. Photo: John Wilson; (bottom le ) Installation detail, Origin Story at HBRG. Photo: Llewellyn Millhouse.

311 Kent St, Maryborough 4190 5818

FREE ENTRY Open Tuesday to Friday: 9.30am - 3.30pm

Weekends: 9.30am - 2pm.

EXHIBITION: UNTIL SUN 10 SEP

WORKSHOPS & ACTIVITIES

The Art of Arts Projects Workshop

Sun 6 Aug | 9.30AM–2PM

The Ideas Distillery takes you through a full day workshop focusing on effective design and delivery of community arts-based projects.

39th Annual Competitive Art Exhibition

Hervey Bay Art Society

Established in 1983, this competitive art exhibition is an open competition with seven Award categories with styles ranging from traditional to contemporary. It always attracts excellent artists, both from the Fraser Coast and beyond.

CREATIVE SPACE EXHIBITION: UNTIL SUN 10 SEP

Print studio

WEDNESDAYS & SATURDAYS 10AM-2PM

Hanging by a Thread - Mosaics for Afghan Women

Queensland Mosaic Communities

As part of the international project, each artist has made a small segment of glass mosaic, which is being joined together to create a series of giant scarves.

Waste to Art returns in 2023 with a prize pool of $3,500. Entries close 16 Oct 2023 so get creating!

Images

Hervey

38th Annual Competitive Art Exhibition Open

(top le ): Kevin Rogers, Curiosity (detail) 2022. Pencil.

Bay Art Society

Winner; (bottom le ): The Hanging by a Thread project. Photo supplied.