Magnetic Island residents and friends applauded the artistic talent of 13 local artists on Saturday whose designs had been chosen to be laser cut into the steel fins that will support the Magnetic Island Solar Park.

The presentation, held at the Solar City Smart Lifestyle Centre, honoured the creators of the iconic Magnetic Island, sporty and solar-inspired artwork.

It was a difficult task for the judges with almost 30 designs to choose from, submitted by artists from Magnetic Island and Townsville after three artistic workshops were held in various locations.

Four designs drawn by children were selected for the skate park which will host the biggest array of solar panels, over 90 kilowatts.

The successful works and artists were:

Around and about by William Cook (year 8)
Stick mania by Brittany Wetherspoon (year 9)
Half pipe and Chain of life Gerry Mullaly (age 8)
Magnetic Island Madeleine Wallace (age 5)
Among the kapoks Vonnie Van Bemmel
My backyard Robyn Cumming
Reflections Denise Weightman
Horseshoe and solar panels Alison McDonald
The game of life Sonia Ward
Magnetic attractions Margaret Crawford
Hoop pine Lynn Scott-Cumming
Go team Lynda Onton-O’Shea
Ripples Claire Bamforth

The four Solar Park pavilions include shade for the skate park, visitor sporting teams, home team and community stage and the new picnic pavilion. Foundation work commences in November and the steel fins containing the public art will be erected in February and March. The solar park will be complete and operational by May, 2011.

The Magnetic Island Solar Park is an important element of the Townsville Queensland Solar City project, an award winning initiative that is part of the Australian Government’s Solar Cities Program.