20 August 2020
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers announces chalk art program for Queens Park Botanic Gardens
The 170,000 blooms across parks and public spaces this September aren’t the only stars of this year’s iconic Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Introducing the Artists-in-Residence program – four locally based chalk artists who will bring colour to the concrete paths of the Queens Park Botanic Gardens every Saturday!
While musical entertainment in the parks cannot go ahead because of COVID-19 Safe restrictions, the four chalk artists will bring brilliant additional colour, with artworks all floral-inspired. The program includes:
Saturday 5 September, 10am to 2pm: Kristy Richardson
Toowoomba artist Kristy Richardson believes everyone can be creative, and artistic! Known for her bold use of colour, Kristy’s trademark style is bright and fun! Her business Kreate It offers painting workshops (groups, team building, one on one, private celebrations, online), as well as custom artwork, art supplies and more. Workshop participants love to create their own masterpieces under her guidance, with results always bursting with colour!
Facebook: kreateitart
Instagram: kreate_it_art
Web: www.kreateit.com.au
Saturday 12 September, 10am to 2pm: Mary-Kate Thomson
Local artist and designer Mary-Kate Thomson has worked in many areas of the art world and her involvement with Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers spans many years, including creating two ephemeral artworks – The Bed of Roses in 2007, and Umbrelliads in 2008 – both part of the Avant Garden initiative of Arts Council Toowoomba in response to severe drought and showcased during Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. She is also active in Council float design and construction, is a keen advocate for the local arts industry through Arts Council Toowoomba, and is passionate about teaching children the arts through her business ARTiculate Art and Drama Studio.
Facebook: marykate.thomson.art and articulateartanddramastudio
Instagram: marykatethomsonart and articulate_artanddramastudio
Saturday 19 September, 10am to 2pm: Alex Stalling
Alex Stalling has over a decade of experience in creative industries as a practicing artist, founding and managing artist run spaces, event and festival programming and community engagement. Working primarily in acrylic, watercolour and line work, she creates works that invoke happy, referencing objects, organic representations, animals, nature and emotive motivations to create bold designs. Founder of creative studio Tinker she enjoys sharing her love of the arts through creative workshops.
Instagram: alexstallingart
Web: www.alexstalling.com
Saturday 26 September, 10am to 2pm: Stacey Blinco
Art has held Stacey Blinco’s attention for as long as she can remember, and she became serious about painting 12 years ago. Her subjects, style and mediums vary; she has a great love of drawing and painting in acrylic, oil, watercolour, or ink. If a composition catches her eye, she cannot help but capture it. Stacey is a member of Artists of Crows Nest Inc. and regularly exhibits her work locally.
Facebook: staceyblincoartonline
Instagram: slbartwork
The Artists-in-Residence Chalk Art program joins more than 30 other events and activations that will feature this year at Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. This includes the new region-wide food trail #trEATS, as well as the popular Talking Pub and Foodie Dinner Tours, Rowes light shows at night, guided and non-guided walking tours, as well as activations Cobb + Co Museum and the much-loved floral group displays.
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers 2020
18 to 27 September 2020
See tcof.com.au for more
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers – A History
Since its inception in 1949, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has flourished and is now an iconic Queensland event. The brainchild of Essex Tait and the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, Carnival was introduced as a way for the city to use its “Garden City” reputation to promote increased economic activity following the hardships of war. On 21 October 1950 the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers commenced with a street procession that stretched three miles in length. Led by a bullock team and watched by a crowd estimated to be 50,000 strong, it was a resounding success, as it has been ever since.
Awards and Accolades
Gold winner 2019 Queensland Tourism Award for Destination Marketing
State Finalist 2019 Australian Tourism Awards for Destination Marketing
Australian Tourism Hall of Fame Inductee 2018 Major Festivals & Events
Queensland Tourism Hall of Fame Inductee 2017 Major Festivals & Events
Gold winner 2018, 2017, 2016 Australian Tourism Award for Major Festivals & Events
Gold winner 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 Queensland Tourism Award for Major Festivals & Events
Most Supportive Community Event 2017 Queensland Wine Awards
Event category Winner 2015 Parks & Leisure Australia Awards of Excellence
Gold winner 2014 Queensland Tourism Awards for Festivals and Events
For more information contact Kath Rose & Associates on 0416 291 493 or kath@kathrose.com