Art donated to set up training store – Bundaberg News Mail

 

EAGER to give indigenous youth a hand up, three local artists have donated works to raise money for the establishment of an art retail shop in Hinkler Central Shopping Centre.

 

The shop will double as a retail training centre and will sell indigenous art, posters, framed pictures and didgeridoos.

 

Sandra Marriage and Marlene Golding each donated one painting, while Nicole Wone donated two pieces.

 

"It is important to promote indigenous artists in the area. I hope to encourage other artists to get out there and have a go," Ms Wone said.

 

All the proceeds from the sales of the four paintings will go towards opening the shop.

 

Ms Marriage said the most important aspect of the shop would be the training it would provide.

 

"It will help people get qualifications and that's the main factor to make it easier for people to get jobs," she said.

 

Ms Golding said her painting was a labour of love.

 

"This piece, Wildflowers, took about five months to do and something this size I would usually sell for between $2000 and $3000," she said.

 

Hinkler Central marketing manager Elysia Billingham said a vacant shop had been identified and the centre would work with the group to help secure government funding.

 

Hinkler Central has been working with the Sarina Russo Institute and the Gidarjil Development Corporation to open the store.

 

The paintings can be viewed and bought from centre management.