COMMUNITY MEETINGS TO IGNITE ARTS ABLAZE INTEREST

As interest ignites in the Arts Ablaze conference and festival, Scenic Rim Regional Council is holding the first in its series of community information sessions in Kooralbyn on Wednesday 17 April.

Hosted by Scenic Rim Regional Council, the Arts Ablaze Queensland regional arts conference and celebrations will be staged at the Ramada Resort Kooralbyn Valley from 2 to 6 October.

Mayor Greg Christensen said planning is well under way for the event which will bring the arts community and Scenic Rim residents together in a cultural event that will put the region on the map.

"This will be an exciting time for the Scenic Rim to be engaged with the arts community from across Queensland right here on our doorstep," he said.

"It will also be a tremendous opportunity for the local community to celebrate the region's creativity, with night markets, arts workshops, performances, exhibitions, maker spaces and food trucks as we showcase regional flavours."

Expressions of Interest, which close on Monday 15 April, have been sought from members of the arts community wishing to be part of the conference program.

Applications will be particularly welcomed from artists and arts workers from diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with disabilities.

"Arts Ablaze is about transforming our regional communities and arts practice by focusing on the themes of attitude, access, people and place," Cr Christensen said.

"Community involvement is the key to its success and I encourage everyone wishing to join in - whether as an artist, stall holder, presenter, volunteer or delegate - to attend the regular community information sessions on the third Wednesday of the month from now until November."

These will be held from 4pm to 5.30pm at the Ramada Resort Kooralbyn Valley on the following days:

 Wednesday 17 April

 Wednesday 15 May

 Wednesday 19 June

 Wednesday 17 July

 Wednesday 21 August

 Wednesday 18 September

 Wednesday 16 October, and

 Wednesday 20 November.

To register as a volunteer visit http://www.liveatthecentre.com.au/AA-Volunteers-pg32808.html

Market stall holders and artists wishing to be considered for the Arts Ablaze Celebration workshop program should contact the Beaudesert and District Community Arts Project (BADCAP) via email Contact-BADCAP-ArtsAblaze@googlegroups.com or by phoning Chris Grimett on 0421 006 220.

Arts Ablaze is funded by the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund and Scenic Rim Regional Council, and proudly supported by the Regional Arts Services Network, an initiative of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), a partnership between the Queensland Government and Scenic Rim Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland, CQ University Australia and the Ramada Resort Kooralbyn Valley.