The Boyne Tannum HookUp is helping to turn trash into treasure, with the Art in Bray Park initiative on HookUp weekend, 28 to 30 April.
Committee President Jennifer McGuire, said local artists Joeann McKay and Christine Holden from Bits of Art, will be running marine debris sculpting workshops and selling artwork across the
weekend.
“We’re working with local industry and business sponsors to help put the Gladstone region on the map for all the right reasons,” Mrs McGuire said.
“The Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership and JJ Richards are supporting the Art in Bray Park initiative, which involves collecting marine debris and sculpting it into gorgeous works of art.
“Scouts have already started collecting marine float debris from Boyne Island and Tannum Sands shorelines, but we do expect more debris to float in.”
“After collection, the rubbish is surveyed, weighed, categorised and recorded, before it is moulded, crimped and massaged into amazing art pieces,” she said.
The HookUp committee are focused on keeping the waterways clean while promoting sustainable recreational boating and fishing.
“We survey the marine debris before and after the HookUp event to ensure that we are hosting an environmentally responsible competition,” Mrs McGuire said.
“Last year’s waste collections showed that the HookUp participants are not leaving waste in the marine environment to wash ashore, and we need to continue that proud tradition,” she said.
Even though Scouts have collected a stockpile of marine debris already, the public is encouraged to bring any further marine debris to Bray Park on HookUp weekend, to help create the Bits of Art giant fish sculpture.
Mrs McGuire said the marine debris sculpting is all about raising awareness.
“People don’t know what marine debris is and the negative impact it has on our waterways, shorelines and wildlife.
“In the future we hope to put Gladstone on the international map through the further development of this new initiative.
“We hope to create the HookUp marine debris sculpting as a core day time activity for families which culminates in a marine debris sculpting competition.
“This initiative has the potential to become as recognisable and iconic as ‘Bondi Beach Sculpture by the Sea’ that attracts Australian and overseas artists, and we are really proud to kick it off at this
years’ HookUp,” Mrs McGuire said.