In the lead up to Toowoomba’s First Coat Festival, Grand Central is celebrating all things art, culture and creativity, hosting a variety of exciting, colourful and larger-than-life activities at the centre until May 21.
The activities will include installations, workshops, community art projects and masterclasses suitable for the whole family.
Grand Central Marketing Manager Melissa Shaw said the activities are a great way for members of the community to explore their creativity.
“We’ve commissioned this exciting range of arts and culture activities to encourage the community to find their passion — whatever it may be,” Ms Shaw said.
“We have something for everybody, including performances, workshops and an interactive art space.
“Our collaborative activities encourage customers to contribute to larger masterpieces, which will be on display in the centre for all to see and enjoy.
“Students from Fairholme Junior College, Drayton State School, MiyaMiya Children’s House and Kate’s Place Early Education Centre have pieced together an amazing start to our #OurToowoomba puzzle installation.
“There is also a giant colouring-in pad that’s sure to be fun for young and old,” she said.
Customers are invited to take part in the One Million Stars to End Violence project, which aims to start a conversation about how to end all forms of violence in our community and the world by weaving stars at workshops in the Centre.
An installation to promote One Million Stars to End Violence will hang in the Retail Galleria before heading to the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (GC2018) where they will feature in a one-million-star display.
Grand Central’s commitment to arts and culture within the Toowoomba community also includes a three-storey artwork by Vans the Omega at the eastern end of the Retail Galleria that depicts the physical and cultural history of Toowoomba, as well as large-scale murals along Dent Street that show the cultural diversity of women at work around the world.
Bookings are essential for some workshops. For more information or to make a booking, please visit www.grandcentralshopping.com.au.
CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES
Community Art Project: One Million Stars to End Violence
Dates: 20 April, 27 April and 4 May — 4:30pm to 7:30pm
Location: Level 1, outside H&M
In partnership with Toowoomba Regional Council, Grand Central is hosting a community art project, One Million Stars to End Violence, which aims to start a conversation about ending all forms of violence in the community and around the world. This community awareness and engagement project invites customers to create woven stars, which will eventually feature as part of a one-million-star display at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Pop-up Community Stage
Dates: 22 April to 21 May 2017
Local performers will be popping-up around Grand Central, as the best of the arts are showcased by our local community. From solo acts to group performances, there is no shortage of inspiring talent in Toowoomba.
The Colour Pad
Dates: 19 April to 21 May 2017
Location: Level 1, near The Athlete’s Foot
Hone your colouring-in skills on a scale like never before. Pick a colour and try your hand at staying between the lines on this supersize colouring-in pad. With giant pens to match, this promises big things with different fun designs to master.
The Puzzle Wall
Dates: Workshops on 22 April, 29 April and 6 May 2017 — 10am to 2pm
Location: Level 1, near Woolworths
What is your favourite thing about #OurToowoomba? Students from Fairholme Junior College, Drayton State School, MiyaMiya Children’s House and Kate’s Place Early Education Centre have shared what they love most about their home town on a massive 10-metre puzzle. Whether it’s visiting the Japanese Gardens, taking in the view at Picnic Point lookout or spending time at Queen’s Park with the family, there is something for everyone — and we want you to share what’s important to you. Decorate a puzzle piece at one of our puzzle-decorating workshops using #OurToowoomba as your inspiration. Once complete, it be will added to the Community Puzzle Cube on display in the Centre.
The Mirror Illusion
Dates: 19 April to 21 May 2017
Location: Ground Level, near Kmart
Take some time to see this interactive art space and view yourself from another perspective. Crawl inside to see yourself hanging from great heights in this awe-inspiring optical illusion. Take a picture of yourself within the mirror, upload it to Facebook or Instagram tagging ‘Grand Central’ and #grandcentralmirror for your chance to win a $250 Grand Central gift card. Terms and conditions apply. Visit www.grandcentralshopping.com.au for details.
Intro to Art Therapy
Date: Sunday 23 April — 10am and 2pm
Master the art of alleviating stress, promoting relaxation, and increasing well-being and self-awareness in this hands-on workshop hosted by Alice Rathgeber (B.Ed.). Alice has more than 28 years’ experience using the power of art as therapy to help people manage personal and work-related stress. To book your place, visit www.grandcentralshopping.com.au.
Polymer Clay Jewellery Master Class
Date: Sunday 30 April — 10am and 2pm
Wearable art is trending and there is no-one better to teach you the tricks of the trade than Caragh Dickson and Pauline Bradbery from Triangle House. Put your creative skills to work and make a variety of polymer clay beads to take home and string into a beautiful necklace that is truly you. To book your place, visit www.grandcentralshopping.com.au.
DIY Tote Bag Workshop
Date: Sunday 7 May — 10am and 2pm
Put your own stamp on this workshop with a 100 per cent unique DIY tote bag to sport around town. Guided by Bec Lewis from Little Brown Dog, you’ll learn the secrets for how to craft a bespoke rubber stamp and apply it to a fair trade cotton tote bag to take home. To book your place, visit www.grandcentralshopping.com.au.
Mother’s Day DIY Mug Decorating Workshop
Date: Saturday 13 May — 10am, 10:30am, 2pm and 2:30pm
Show mum how much she means to you this Mother’s Day with a hand-designed mug. Let your children create their own special design in one of our free workshops before taking your mug home for mum to cherish forever. Drop in to one of the sessions; no bookings are required.
First Coat Festival
Grand Central is proud to once again be a Platinum Sponsor of the First Coat Festival, which celebrates amazing art and has transformed Toowoomba’s streetscapes into large-scale art pieces. Together with the First Coat Festival, Grand Central will present intimate workshops with talented artists for children and adults alike. Join in the fun and let your inner artist shine in this final installation of Explore Your Creativity. More details to come via Grand Central’s Facebook page and e-newsletter. Register to receive the e-newsletter at www.grandcentralshopping.com.au.
Public Art at Grand Central
If you haven’t already, we recommend you take a look at the existing public art in place at Grand Central. This includes:
Vans the Omega — Adelaide artist Vans the Omega was commissioned to paint a three-storey artwork reflecting the physical and cultural history of Toowoomba. It is located near the new travellators at the eastern end of the Retail Galleria.
Culture Wall — The Culture Wall features a series of eight artworks that represent women at work. It is located on Dent Street, opposite the entrance to the Myer car park.
Cherie Buttons — Cherie Buttons, a self-taught artist from Brisbane has provided a public artwork, which is on display immediately inside the Myer entrance to the carpark of Dent Street.
Eoin O’Connor — Four of the concrete pillars near the entrance to the Dent Street Car Park are covered with an unusual form of urban art by artist Eoin O’Connor.
George Rose — George Rose recently completed a live in-centre temporary artwork near Big W, which is now on display on Level 2 of Grand Central.
