Scarves, sauces and sounds

by MAPLETON HALL COORDINATOR, DONNA KLEASE

The Mapleton Hall and Sportsground hosts and supports the Mapleton Country Market with the first market being held in 2018. Over the years the market has grown and is now showcasing stalls from many talented locals.

Kris Morris is a resident of Mapleton and an art teacher at a Sunshine Coast state high school. When she has time, she creates eco-dyed garments and scarves - all ethically sourced, wall hangings and table runners, using fabrics such as silk and wool.

Kris uses mostly leaves sourced from her own garden. When the leaves are heated, they release their colour which produces a stunning, naturally dyed one-ofa-kind garment. Stop by Kris's stall and view her ecofriendly products, she also does photographic cards of the scarves for that something different and unique.

Who doesn't like homemade chilli sauces, chutneys, jams and marmalades! Kath and Nick have you sorted outside on the three-acre sportsground. They have a huge selection of native and fruit trees, herbs, native ground covers and assorted plants.

They recycle any used plant pots, which are cleaned to reuse and therefore reduce waste. They are happy for you to drop off at their stall or they can pick up locally. A wonderful initiative.

MARKET GUIDE TO WHAT'S ON

SECOND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

Montville Growers and Makers Market

7:30am - 12pm

Piping hot pancakes, buskers, genuine locally grown food, handmade craft, barista made coffee, under historic fig trees, profits maintain our Village Hall. Stall holder enquires: Liz 0424 042 376

THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

Witta Growers Markets 7:30am - 12pm

50+ stalls, this vibrant market has everything from fresh local produce to gourmet food, quality art and craft, live music, hot food and coffee. email: wittamarket@gmail.com

FOURTH SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

Mapleton Country Markets 8am - 12pm

Fresh fluffy waffles, sourdoughs, jams and chutneys, honey, pestos, plants, timber, jewellery, arts and crafts. Hot food, coffee van, live music, free onsite parking Mapleton Hall. Ph 0419 726 603

PROMOTE YOUR MARKET HERE

The ever-popular Landscape Band will be entertaining you with their folk, country and light rock. The band is made up of a group of passionate people who believe in celebrating Australia's landscapes, using music to create a better society and sustainable planet, as well as protecting, restoring and rehabilitating koalas. Stop by and say hello to the guys.

Don't forget to bring your bags and pick up some

Book your at the Barn

$25 per head includes a scrumptious assortment of sweets & savouries, tea or cappuccino OR $30 per head to include champagne.

Bunya Nut pesto, organic pizza bases, local Mapleton gold honey or sourdoughs such as sundried tomato and fetta, Kalamata olive, Jalapeno Cheddar, grain, and white at the hall's kitchen.

The Blackall Range Lions Club have you sorted with egg and bacon rolls or a sausage sizzle, and at the hall's kitchen enjoy yummy waffles with seasonal fruit, cream or ice cream.

Inside and outside our stall holders will have that something special, so make a day of it on March 25 from 8am to midday. See you there!

What made you move to the hinterland?

I moved from Yungaburra on the Atherton Tablelands west of Cairns to Maleny in 2019. Our farm had sold, my husband had passed away and I believed it was time I moved closer to daughters who lived in Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra. I loved the climate and country feel of Yungaburra, and was seeking a similar lifestyle. Maleny seemed to tick all the boxes at that time, and still does now four years later.

What did you do before running this business?

Before opening the antique shop here on the Maleny-Montville Road, I had antique shops in North Queensland. I retired from life as a high school teacher in 1986 and opened my first antique shop at Mission Beach that same year.

In 1987 we combined it with Helen Wiltshire's Bingil Bay Gallery and formed Mission Beach Gallery and Antiques. In 1992 we opened another art gallery in Lake Street Cairns with David Stacey as our principal artist.

In 1997 we moved to Yungaburra and re-located the antique shop into a large barn on a corner of our cattle property, where it continued till 2019.

What does a 'typical' day entail for you?

A typical day for me starts at 5am. This is when I like to garden - before it gets too hot. And what a great place it is to garden! One of the tradesmen working on my courtyard told me that the soil here is so good you can plant a brick and grow a house! I almost believe him as I have seen shrubs here grow twice as tall as I have seen them anywhere else.

When it is too hot outside, I move down to the shed and work on items for the shop - sanding, cleaning and sometimes painting. By the time I open the shop at 10am, I am ready to sit and relax.

What do you enjoy the most about your business?

A

One of the things I enjoy most about my business is the chance it gives me to meet and talk to people. About 90 per cent of folk who come into the shop are visitors to the area, and without exception, they all love it, as do all of the locals I have met. The other thing I really like about this business is the chance it gives me to travel and see other people's collections. I regularly drive to Yungaburra and Mission Beach to see family and friends, but always manage to pick up some interesting items on the way. A recent trip to Dubbo also resulted in some great little finds.

Do you have a favourite quote which inspires you?

I guess my favourite quote would have to be the one that the Furphy Foundry in Shepparton put on their famous water cart which says:

"Good, better, best Never let it rest

Till your good is better And your better best.”

Antiques – Old Wares & Tools is located at 924 Maleny-Montville Road, Balmoral Ridge Ph: 0409 273181

ALWAYS BUYING and SELLING

Artist Profile

Arts Connect Inc. (ACI) is a not-for-profit organisation based in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, who organise annual events such as Sculpture on the Edge, Open Studios and artist workshops. New members are always welcome –visit artsconnectinc.com.au.

The HT regularly shares a profile from an ACI member, and this month we bring you Liz Pepper.

Emerging artist, Liz Pepper (creator of Colour of October) is based in South-East Queensland. As a disabled young adult, Liz’s personal battles inspire creations centred around the human experience.

While known for drawing pets and painting loved ones for clients, Liz dabbles with various subjects and mediums from the whole spectrum.

Liz defines Colour of October as “an accumulation of expression.” Introspection, humour and artisanship are the forefront of the online space.

Her artist’s statement about her Colour of October outlet is:

“I'm a twenty-something year old, Australian, emerging artist. I have chronic illness which causes lots of pain and fatigue. Colour of October is my outlet for sharing thoughts and creations.

The last eight years of my life haven't been easy but I'm empowered to make my life and struggle matter. Art has been my saving grace through all the pain and I want to share both my creations and journey.

My ultimate goal in life would be to show others they are not alone. That is what Colour of October is all about.”

By honing her skills and sharing her handiwork, she has accumulated millions of online impressions and is now building herself in the world of prints.

Liz has been involved with charities and campaigns including Anglicare's Arts and Minds, and has donated art to be auctioned to raise funds for disabled kids on the Coast.

Dylan Alcott, 2022 Australian of the Year, Australian Paralympian and Disability Advocate, commissioned a family portrait from Liz in 2021. Visit: colourofoctober.com.au

KENILWORTH ARTSFEST 

2023 is Kenilworth ArtsFest’s Celebration Year – their Silver Jubilee, and the Kenilworth ArtsFest is on from May 26 - 28! It’s 25 years since their first exhibition with borrowed display boards and makeshift plinths in Kenilworth Hall.

It has been a wonderful journey so far and they intend to keep going! For a little town tucked away west of the range in the Hinterland, Kenilworth has presented quality art exhibitions over the years to become one of the Sunshine Coast’s important events on the arts calendar.

This year, as well as the usual raft of prizes, the ArtsFest is introducing a new category for 3D works. There will be a prize of $500 for Outdoor Art made from recycled materials. Now, there’s a challenge for 3D artists!

It’s not all visual arts. Poetry and music have their spots with Poetry at the Pub on Saturday May 27, followed by a music jam session with KADS ( Kenilworth And District Singers) and other musicians. Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce is helping with the Silver Jubilee celebrations, co-hosting with Kenilworth Arts Council a Family Fun Day on Sunday May 28. There will be entertainment for young and old alike. Visit: kenilwortharts.org.au

HIDDEN GALLERY

Hidden Gallery is a new gallery space under construction in Dulong, opening in mid-March and now seeking expressions of interest from emerging and established local artists. The first solo exhibition, by Sandy Van Herberghen, will open on April 21 for three weeks, closely followed by Open Studios Sunshine Coast, Hinterland Trail, an annual event curated and promoted by Arts Connect Inc., which gets under way from May 19 During the Open Studios event and at various times, there will be demonstrations taking place in the space: acrylic painting with Sandy Van Herberghen, watercolour painting with Kimmyg and Linda Rea, book binding (making handmade books) with Amanda Calder and freehand machine embroidery with Kimmyg. Hidden Gallery is currently around 40m2 but with relocatable partition walls, can be increased to a maximum of approximately 70 m2, or decreased as required. Gallery stainless steel wire hanging systems and lighting are already in place.

Initial opening hours will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11am until 4pm (other days/ times by appointment). Participants in the space will be encouraged to get together to network, share ideas and inspiration, relax with a cup of coffee and will also have access to instructional and inspirational books around glass, jewellery, textiles, painting and more.

Hidden Gallery intends to foster and encourage emerging artists in a friendly and helpful environment along with other creatives, as well as to support and promote established artists in the area.

Workshops will also be conducted in the future at Hidden Gallery, bookings and details will be available in late March.

If you would like to be involved, would like to make an appointment to view the space, or for further information, questions and expressions of interest, please email: hiddengalleryau@gmail.com