Arthouse Port Douglas helps you learn how to draw,or to learn oil painting by offering short fine art courses.
The class was finished. Students cheerfully wandered off from their last Arthouse Port Douglas class of the series, arranging to meet for lunch at their favourite restaurant. But, what's this? A student in tears! Whatever could be the matter? "I can't help it", she wailed, "I have had such a wonderful time in this class. I can't bear it to end!" True story, but with a happy ending...she enrolled in another class!
I must tell you that we don't often have students cry but it does sometimes happen. Occasionally, the more creative classes seem to be so therapeutic that students feel as though a huge burden has been lifted and that they have attained an amazing freedom....a freedom to just be themselves.
February 2008:
Would you like to learn how to draw? Learn oil painting? Enjoy drawing people by attending a life drawing class with a live model? Try your hand at silk painting, printmaking or sculpture?
In such a supportive and comfortable environment such experiences can be special for everyone. Therapy may be an interesting side effect of finding inner creativity but our main business is imparting skills.
Arthouse Port Douglas helps to enliven the cultural life of the community of Port Douglas and the wider region of which it is part.
Its long-term aim is to establish a purpose-built Arts Centre in the community precinct of the little coastal town.The town may be small but it draws an estimated 100,000 visitors per year, who are attracted by its sophistication and close proximity to the ancient Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef.
 The area also has become home to many artists from other parts of Australia and overseas as well as to those who appreciate the beauty and memorable experiences that the region has to offer.
Some of these visitors enjoy becoming involved in art classes that Arthouse Port Douglas usually offers from about Easter through to Christmas each year.
We hope to include studios for established and emerging artists as part of the planned arts complex, which will be the centre for visionary programmes, including residencies for leading Australian and overseas visual and performing artists.
Already Arthouse Port Douglas is becoming involved in the Clink theatre productions and the idea of projects across various art forms is seen as desirable…and a lot of fun!
There are many excellent restaurants in Port Douglas so perhaps we shall explore the marriage of culinary arts with the visual and performing variety! What next? Watch this space!
Arthouse classes in 2007 included life drawing, painting, portraiture, sculpture and printmaking. They were made possible by the Regional Arts Development Fund, administered by Arts Queensland and Douglas Shire Council.
UPDATE 2010
If you would like to receive news about the arts scene in Far North Queensland, including classes, please submit the short form to the left of this page to receive the monthly e-newsletter "Perspectives".
In November 2007 Douglas Shire Council set aside the amount of $250,000 for the building of a community arts workspace adjacent to the existing Community Centre.
That was such good news! Sadly, once the Douglas Shire was forcibly amalgamated with Cairns Regional Council, the funds were frozen and the artists of Port Douglas are still without a proper workspace (February 2010).
January 2012 update:
Arthouse Port Douglas group has, sadly, dwindled from 150 members in its first year of operation to just a handful of enthusiasts. In 2011 they were given the use of premises in the Marina but, unfortunately, the owner has had to withdraw his offer and they are currently without a home - again!
Without Council or private support that makes the practicalities of holding classes very difficult indeed. Perhaps, if the push to de-amalgamate from Cairns Regional Council succeeds the situation may change.
Occasional classes and artists retreats are still held at venues scattered throughout the Port Douglas, Mossman and Whyanbeel area. Check here for information about Arthouse, Douglas Arts Base, Cairns Regional Gallery and other art classes in the region.
Arthouse Port Douglas helps you learn how to draw, or to learn oil painting by offering short fine art courses, usually of five weeks duration.
Usually materials are included in these inexpensive North Queensland classes.
Please click for general information abouttropical art suppliers
If you are looking for information about Australian textile suppliers and contacts australiansilkworm.com is a comprehensive directory for silk artists & textile designers, fiber artists, suppliers, event coordinators and for anyone who loves, paints or sews fabric or enjoys surface design.
For more information about artists and photographers in the Port Douglas area please see this Tourism Port Douglas page.
To top of Arthouse Port Douglas page
See art workshops page
Art Classes page
Arthouse classes and schedules 2007
To Art in Tropical Australia home page
|
