MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

Townsville City Council is delighted to present Strand Ephemera 2017, the North’s Sculpture Festival by the Sea.

Strand Ephemera is the highlight of the region’s arts calendar and showcases Townsville when the climate and environs are magnificent. The festival is presented biennially and has been enjoyed by thousands of local, national and international visitors since 2001.

Strand Ephemera features our idyllic Strand foreshore as an outdoor gallery of captivating artworks that encourage us to engage with them. This year, Strand Ephemera will be presented from 28 July to 6 August. The exhibition features 31 artworks by local, national and international artists across a range of mediums including hard and soft sculpture, performance and installation works supported by a comprehensive public program of workshops. The artworks explore diverse concepts and invite reflection, enjoyment and sometimes interaction.

Winter is festival time in Townsville with Strand Ephemera coinciding with the internationally renowned Australian Festival of Chamber Music and for the first time, Pop Up North Queensland, a pop-up festival of the arts featuring exhibitions, workshops and performances that will activate empty spaces in the CBD.

Strand Ephemera could not be delivered without the hard work and support of a large number of people. The artists have dedicated their time to create amazing works of art while Townsville City Council’s gallery team and volunteers have worked determinedly to continue the success of the north’s sculptural festival. My sincere thanks to all of the artists, staff and volunteers involved.

I also thank our sponsors, in particular our Major Sponsor Glencore for again supporting this event. These financial and in-kind contributions have enabled Strand Ephemera to grow into a comprehensive festival offering something that will appeal to each of us.

I encourage you to come to Strand Ephemera, interact with the work of these talented artists, performers and musicians and celebrate our exciting cultural life.

Cr Jenny Hill Mayor of Townsville