Art panels promote local artists
Toowoomba Hospital set to benefit from auction
DRIVING past the series of large and colourful art panels on the corner of Anzac Ave and Hill St, the natural assumption is that it has been created by professional artists.
This is not the case – it is a brainwave of Col Hall and Phil Neidler from National Telephone and Data as a way to promote upcoming talented artists in our community.
“We realised that there were limited opportunities to help encourage local artists of all ages to showcase their work,” Mr Neidler said.
“We have this massive fence along our office that we could turn into art, so we put a skin over the fence and invited anyone to submit a design for consideration.”
The plans were reviewed by a panel of judges from University of Southern Queensland, TAFE and local art teachers and the top five submissions were selected, including a children’s art group.
Artists then created their masterpieces live, with community online voting to pick the winner.
“After the artwork was completed, people were phoning us to find out who the artists were, which led to additional work for them,” Mr Neidler said.
He said it was now time to sell the pieces and start afresh with a new series of panels, with the proceeds going to the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation.
Foundation CEO Peter Rookas said the artwork would make a colourful addition to people’s outdoor areas, with the proceeds going towards new equipment and resources for the Toowoomba Hospital.
“They are painted on a steel skin so are perfect for a BBQ or outdoor area,” Mr Rookas said.
Once the existing panels have been sold the new artwork is planned to start in May.
“This is going to be an annual event, a showcase of local art which also benefits our local hospital,” Mr Neidler said.