Art captures Noosa’s natural qualities

AS Noosa residents, many of us are often asked why does Noosa celebrate being a biosphere and what does that actually mean?
Our responses and interpretations usually include something about our rainforests, beaches, wetlands, lakes, river, and mountains.
We usually add in how such a landscape is extremely accommodating for flora and fauna and is a major centre of species richness and uniqueness supporting speciation and biodiversity.
Some of our exceptional local artists, photographers and writers have collaborated to interpret our biosphere in a unique exhibition, opening Thursday 27 August at the Noosa Regional Gallery.
Entitled Interpretations of Place this exhibition explores five natural Noosa features through the eyes of painters, photographer and poets.
From the ocean viewed from the Noosa National Park through to Lake Macdonald at Cooroy; Lake Cootharaba at Boreen Point to Cranks Creek in Tewantin and of course our Noosa River that weaves its way from the sandy front beaches to the inland wetlands, our Noosa Biosphere has been interpreted through different artistic media.
Some depict the landscape through realistic representation, others will seek to capture the unusual angle that makes their work unique.
Noosa Regional Gallery director Nina Shadforth said the community was justifiably proud of the natural and protected environment that so distinguished Noosa from many of its counterparts.
“The gallery is excited to be showcasing not only our Noosa Biosphere but also the exceptional talents of our local visual artists and writers in this unique exhibition,” she said.
Interpretations of Place feature the works of artists Rose Barry and Wendy Epp, photographer Rick Sherwin and writers Jan Bentley, Grayham Bickley, Celia Esplin and Sheila Mason.
The exhibition will be held from Thursday 27 August through to Sunday 18 October.
There will also be ‘coffee and conversations’ with the exhibitors and workshops including a three-hour abstract painting workshop, a free Photoshop demonstration, and a breakfast celebration of prose and poems.
Interpretations of Place will be officially opened by Councillor Frank Wilkie on Friday 28 August, at 6pm. Entry to the event is free and everyone is welcome. Those who wish to attend are asked to email gallery@noosa.qld.gov.au to register.