After the widely successful first 40 Under 40 Exhibition, which saw 450 people pre-covid cram into the Butter Factory Arts Centre in Cooroy, the second exhibition is promised to rival the first.
Artist, art student and curator Amanda Bennetts created the exhibition and event after being disheartened by the lack of opportunity for younger artists on the Sunshine Coast.
The exhibition aims to showcase the local young, vibrant and talented art scene in the region by incredible artists who are 40 years old and under.
The visual arts, surf/skate culture and music scene are incredibly intertwined on the Sunshine Coast.
Amanda believes this unique Coast culture should be nurtured, promoted and funded for the benefit of the greater community.
However the exhibition opening is not your typical art cheese and wine event. Amanda and her co-creator and fellow artist Prudence Swann wanted to create an opening event that is inclusive to those who aren’t regulars in the arts community.
“Our opening event is promised to be on the fringe and fresh,“ Amanda said.
“We are going for the anti-art opening vibe with a bar stocked with drink from Land & Sea Brewery, art demonstrations, local bands Old Home and Cupid and the Stupids, dancers, DJ, street food, and poets lined up for this mini arts festival to kick off the exhibition.“
This year’s exhibition sees the inclusion of The Bentleys’ 40 Under 40 Art prize, which will see some of our most talented young artists awarded and recognised for their achievements in the arts.
Brendon Murray, partner at Bentleys Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors said, “Bentleys is proud to help to foster young artists to help enrich the fabric of the culture in our hinterland community. Without art, culture and community we are just a group of houses where we survive rather than thrive.“
Alicia Sharples, the Coordinator of The Butter Factory Arts Centre, said art practices are not limited to the older generation, but the demographics on the Sunshine Coast has traditionally seen the older generation of artists exhibit.
“Amanda Bennett’s recent successful Regional Development Arts Fund through Noosa Council has enabled the second exhibition and art prize to be held at BFAC in January and February 2021,“ Alicia said.
“It is exciting to be co-curating and collaborating with Amanda on this dynamic and edgy show.
“The work expected will include many disciplines including but not limited to ceramics, jewellery, printmaking, installation, photo art and new media“.
This unique exhibition will be held from 15 January to 14 February, with the opening night on Friday 15 January at 6pm.
