Above: Lauren Collard from Flying Arts Alliance with The Visual Field students at the Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane.
Image Credit: Joe Ruckli.

Thank you to all the talented young artists and creatives who participated in The Visual Field in Brisbane during the June – July school holidays!

Over three fun-filled days, 29 June to 1 July 2023, a group of very passionate high school students from Brisbane, Ipswich, the Sunshine Coast, and Chinchilla met with artists, curators, and industry professionals to explore the arts industry and the many diverse arts career pathways on offer.

Flying Arts Alliance alongside our partners at the Institute of Modern Art (IMA), once again delivered this very popular program at the Judith Wright Arts Centre in Brisbane with a wonderful line-up of creative experiences, behind-the-scenes artist studio excursions, gallery tours as well as creative hands-on workshops.

Above: The Visual Field students touring the Institute of Modern Art at the Judith Wright Arts Centre, Brisbane.
Image Credits: Joe Ruckli.

Day 1, Thursday: The participants were welcomed into the Judith Wright Arts Centre and were treated to guided tours of the exhibitions featured at the Institute of Modern Art (IMA). Tina Agic from the IMA led the participants through the Churchie Emerging Art prize exhibition and Nadine Schmoll, IMA Education Manager presented a guided tour of Raphaela Rosella’s exhibition You’ll Know It When You Feel It. Participants also had the privilege of meeting and learning from the Churchie Emerging Art Prize finalist, Dylan Bolger. Dylan inspired the participants through his creative journey and the use of the Macaranga leaf in his art to explore the resilience of the First Nations people. With guidance from Flying Arts and the IMA, the participants then began to weave together ideas for their own exhibition tour scripts.

Above: Students collaborating and working on the creation of exhibition tour scripts.
Image Credits: Joe Ruckli.

Day 2, Friday: The second day of The Visual Field provided participants with the opportunity to visit the Outer Space artist studios in Fortitude Valley and hear first-hand from artists Leeroy Chapman and Emmalyn Hawthorne. Leeroy and Emmalyn shared valuable insights about their arts practices, studio space and what it’s like to work in the arts industry. After working on the creation of their exhibition tour scripts, the participants came together with a panel of arts industry professionals to discuss careers pathways in the arts industry.

Above: The Visual Field students with artist Debbie Taylor Worley who facilitated a gel printing workshop before students shared their creative outcomes with friends and family.
Image Credits: Joe Ruckli.

Day 3, Saturday: The final day of The Visual Field began with the editing and practicing of the participant’s exhibition tour scripts in preparation for guiding a tour for their family and friends later that afternoon. Participants then found themselves in the capable hands of the Churchie Emerging Art Prize finalist Debbie Taylor Worley. Debbie led the participants through a gel printing workshop using natural materials to create artworks with endless possibilities. After a celebratory showcase, each participant stepped into the role of tour guide and took their loved ones through their selected exhibition in the IMA.

Flying Arts is grateful to our partner organisation the IMA for hosting this event as well as our friends at Outer Space, who welcomed us into their Fortitude Valley studio spaces and joined our artist panel discussion. We also thank all the feature artists that kindly shared there insights and knowledge with the students as part of The Visual Field in Brisbane..