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Low Isles Exhibition inspired by amazing coral spawning on the Great Barrier Reef.

The inaugural Low Isles Exhibition developed as a result of a visit to Low Isles by a group of tropical artists in December 2006.

Tropical North Queensland witnesses the spectacular annual event of coral spawning, usually in November but sometimes in October or December, when the ocean comes alive in an amazing display of frenzied activity.

Incredibly, the eggs and sperm from the hermaphrodite coral polyps are released, in an orgy of procreation, at much the same time, at night, a few days after the full moon.

Bright red, pink or orange eggs pop out from the coral polyp one at a time, cluster around bundles of sperm and float to the surface of the ocean.

Other marine life – fish, oysters, starfish and even phosphorescent worms - also join in this sexual frenzy, producing an exciting spectacle of movement, colour and a strange, glowing light.

Swim at night in this “soup” of creative life, trail your hand through the teeming water and set yourself “a-glow” with luminous, sparkling pin-pricks of bioluminescence, which define your every movement.

A group of Arthouse Port Douglas artists, who are also Low Isles Preservation Society volunteers, decided to use the coral spawning as a metaphor for creation.

They spawned a few ideas of their own for their inaugural Low Isles exhibition, timed to coincide with this year’s ocean spectacle.

The Low Isles exhibition is about various aspects of the islands – their marine, plant and bird life, their history, the vital role played by the lighthouse, as well as that of the people who care for or visit the islands.

A gala cocktail party will be held at the old Sugar Wharf on Friday November 23 and you are invited!

Hopefully, this exhibition will lead the way for future annual community celebrations of the season of plenty and re-generation, which heralds the Wet season.

Because this is a great example of community groups working together for the good of the whole, it is hoped that all sections of the Douglas, Cairns and Tablelands districts communities, as well as visitors, will join in this "Arty Party" to make it a night to remember. Lighthouse paintings, sculptures of Low Isles volunteers, beautiful silk fabric and historical narratives will be displayed alongside paintings of Great Barrier Reef fish and suggestions about protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

Many businesses have contributed so that the cost of entrance tickets is kept low.

...POST SCRIPT ...I am pleased to report that the exhibition was a huge success, with 300 people enjoying the sunset, refreshments, the music, the full moon - and, of course, the fabulous artwork. The exhibition will now tour to Cairns Regional Gallery from February 2 to March 9, 2008.

Keep an eye on this website, or subscribe to Perspectives, the e-newsletter, to hear more about the new event-packed week planned for October 2008!

Well, that went by in a flash! The enthusiasm of local artists and art groups led to the highly successful Go Troppo Arts Festival, repeated again in 2009.

And so, from the birth of an idea, described above, a fledgling multi-arts festival has grown.

Go Troppo Arts Festival 2010 promises to be even better than the previous two years. But it has not lost sight of its 'grass-roots' origins as a community/artist driven celebration and welcomes continued support from local businesses and artists.

See the artists at work and some of their finished artwork.

Sea Temple Resort, a new resort right on Four Mile Beach, has generously assisted with costs of running the event, which is intended as a fund-raiser for the groups.

When it came to choosing a caterer, there was just no contest -we wanted the best food and presentation - so we chose the best operator!

The historic Courthouse Hotel was renovated and extended a few years ago and remains at the centre of social life in the town.

Live on board this research vessel, which operates out of Port Douglas, enjoy fabulous adventure diving, contribute to quality marine research and learn from reef interpretative programmes.

Enterprise Charters offers exclusive private day & overnight charters to Low Isles & the Outer Great Barrier Reef, with personalised service & gourmet cuisine. It is Ecotourism Certified & proudly Australian owned.