Queensland Art Gallery Presscuttings Book 10 : Record of press coverage, March 1982 - May 1984

, ... ------ The Blackall Le ader 19 October 19 83 Qld. Art Gallery directo~ . on fact-finding tour The director of the Queen•land Art Gallery, Mr. Raoul Melllsh, vial . d Black.all /aat Friday •• part of a fact-finding tour of the state. He was also promoting U1e gallery's new exten– sion service. Mr. Mellish said he wanted to tour the state to see what people involved with cultural activities needed. 'We would like to send out more exhibits that are help(ul to people - ror ex– amP.le we sent out an ex– hibit on the techniques or printmaking ?. few years ago, which g0t a good reception , ' said Mr . Mellish. 'We want people lo get the most out of what we send.' He said that the gallery's extension ser• vice would also like lo send out artworks but that problems arose in that these needed securi– ty and a controlled climate. Because of this the gallery is looking at the possibility of using audio– visual displays, which travel more easily. 'When a new exhibition occurs in the gallery in Brisbane we could take slides of this and send them around so country people can share in the exhibit. ' Mr. Mellis h also talked or the possibility-of bring– ing visiting overseas ar– tists to the outback with the extension service. 'They appreciate the opportunity to see as much or the country as they can while they 're here,' he said. Mr. Mellish said the ex• -~-~ -----– " - --- ~-. - - - • The director of the Queensland Art Gallery, Mr. Raoul Mellish, inspects some of the work done by the Blacka/1 weaving group, while in Blacka/1 last Friday, during a short tour of the state. The weavers are Mrs. Wagstaff and Mrs. Cameron . tension service was in a developmental stage at the moment, and that it was not known how much it would cost to run . 'Everything is expen– sive these days,' he said. 'We would be expecting some sponsorship and we would like to minimise the cost to people in coun– try areas,' he added. Mr. Mellish said he had been very impressed with what -he had seen of the work of country people during his tour . 'People who work under hardship have a much better spirit,' he said. 'A lot or individuality has been shown in Australian Flying Art School exhibits . 'The conditions they work under are not ideal and thus deserve every encouragement we can give.' He said country artists needed co ntact with others to have a range of ideas. He would like to visit the outback area as often as possible, and is plann– ing on visiting with AFAS tutors. The gallery links in with the Flying Art school and the Queensland Arts Council. Other areas visited on the tour includ e Townsville, Rockhamp– ton, Aramac, Longreach, Quilpie and Roma . Mr. Mellish spoke with painters from the Cultural Centre while in Blackall . · ,.