The Queensland Regional Art Awards (QRAA) has seen some extraordinary art and artists emerge from its 7 year history. One of the Alumni of this prestigious and unique award and exhibition is Kim Schoenberger. We asked them a few questions about their experience with the awards and what they’re up to now!
What was your reaction when you found out your work would tour Queensland as part of the Queensland Regional Art Awards Exhibition? How did it feel to be selected?
Not only was I extremely delighted in having my work selected as part of the Queensland Regional Art Award for two years running, I felt it was also an invaluable experience in the development of my arts practice. Being selected also helped consolidate and validate my direction.
What benefits do you think have come from your work/s touring Queensland with the awards?
There have been many benefits that have come from my work touring with the QRAA – the exposure increased my profile within my region and surrounding regions.
It added value to my Bio and CV – this recognition on a CV is invaluable for a regional artist and for the development of their career especially coming from a reputable long-standing organisation such as Flying Arts Alliance.
Being included in both touring exhibitions, Essential Character of Queensland and Living Change, I believe has supported my applications; ie; grants, exhibition proposals to the regional galleries (both solo and for group), and when entering other competitions, as a recognised artist and being able to deliver an artwork for exhibition.
In addition to touring with QRAA, my work was selected for the Stanthorpe Art Prize, and Moreton Bay Region Art Award in 2014, and was selected to tour in a group show entitled ‘Teasing the Domestic’ with Artslink Qld (2013/14). My work has also been selected for several curated group exhibitions including Caloundra, Bundaberg and Gympie Regional Art Galleries.
Is there anything else you’d like to add about you, your practice, or your experience as a participant in the Queensland Regional Art Awards?
My experience as a participant in the QRAA has been extremely positive – the whole process; from entering, having my artwork listed and visible on the website, and being selected for tour (twice). I cannot stress enough on how invaluable this has been in the development of my art practice. I was also very fortunate (and thankful) to have a picture of my artwork “Resilient” (Living Change) used for Flying Arts Alliance QRRA’s 2014 Program Brochure and website banner, which in-part, became an extremely useful tool for promoting my own work (and still does). Drawing on a similar design and including that documentation to support my EOI secured a win for my design of the 2016 Sunshine Coast Australia Day Awards Trophy where I created seven trophies which were presented in seven different categories to seven happy recipients.
I would personally like to thank Flying Arts Alliance board and staff for providing a platform of artistic opportunities for regional artists – with the continued success of organisations such as these, increases the standards of art development and culture in regional communities and abroad.
Do you have any upcoming exhibitions, events or projects you’d like to let people know about?
Yes please!
My solo show, Papillon, first exhibited in Caloundra Regional Gallery in 2016, is touring (self funded tour) and it’s next destination is Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland, 20 Aug – 8 Oct 2017 – Official Opening Friday 18 August at 6.30pm. Floor Talk and Morning Tea at 10.30am on Sunday 20 August, 2017.
Also, I am currently making a new body of work for my next major solo exhibition, Domestic Duties Chapter Three ‘Sacred in the Domestic’ for Gallery One, Noosa Regional Gallery, exhibition dates: 29 November 2017 to 4 February 2018 – Official Opening Friday 1st December 2017 from 6pm.
Images courtesy of the artist.
