Two Bundaberg Regional Council initiatives – the exhibition ‘The Closet’ and the community project ‘The Red Shoes’ – have been shortlisted as finalists in the Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards.
Arts and Heritage portfolio spokesperson Councillor John Learmonth said the projects were delivered by the hard-working Bundaberg Regional Galleries team.
“Bundaberg Regional Galleries is consistently delivering impactful and thought provoking programs and exhibitions for the Bundaberg Region,” Cr Learmonth said.
“This is deserved recognition for their efforts by their industry peers on a state level.”
The Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards are presented by Museums and Galleries Queensland to honour the achievements of individuals and organisations in striving towards excellence.
The Closet
‘The Closet’ was a community engagement program and exhibition developed to provide more recognition and support for the LGBTQI+ community in the Bundaberg Region and was shortlisted in the Engagement Category.
Curated by Carrie McCarthy for Bundaberg Regional Galleries, ‘The Closet’ featured the works of 10 LGBTQI+ artists and explored the diversity of voices and experiences of the queer community, particularly for those who grew up in regional or remote Australia.
The project was developed in conjunction with an LGBTQI+ peer consultation group and incorporated public programs that promoted inclusivity and representation in the community.
The exhibition element of ‘The Closet’ was displayed in Gallery Two at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery in July 2024, coinciding with Pride month.
The Red Shoes
The ‘Zapatos Rojos (Red Shoes)’ project, conceived in 2009 by Mexican artist Elinor Chauvet, was a community-driven initiative aimed to raise awareness and influence behaviour regarding domestic and family violence, and was shortlisted in the Project Category.
Launched in May 2024 by Vanessa Fowler OAM, sister of Allison Baden-Clay (who lost her life to domestic violence in 2012), the Bundaberg Regional Galleries iteration of ‘The Red Shoes’ recognised the power of community arts to address social issues.
The project culminated in an installation of 544 red-painted shoes, each symbolising a life affected by domestic violence.
The striking installation was displayed at Bundaberg Botanic Gardens during the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
The winners of the Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards will be announced in September.
