A group of young Island artists under the tutelage of Magnetic Island artist, Vonnie van Bemmel have caused something of a sensation when their Christmas exhibition - which consisted of nine Christmas trees fashioned from recycled materials – took out the Visual Arts Exhibition Award at the Townsville City Council's annual Art's Awards held at the Civic Theatre recently.

The group of 48 talented young artists directed by Vonnie van Bemmel exhibited their nine recycled Christmas tree creations at the Solar Cities' Smart Lifestyle Centre after spending six weeks working on the project.

Vonnie told Magnetic Times, “The kids have put in a huge amount of work and I couldn’t be happier with the results.”

The project was sponsored and nominated for the award by Solar Cities.

Vonnie told Magnetic Times, that the Christmas trees were “made from recycled everything. The kids chose the themes including plastic bags to help save the turtle; hoop pines to have an island-style tree; pencils and rubbers, sharpeners, recycled newspapers, driftwood, a la natural etc.  

“The kids have put in a huge amount of work and I couldn’t be happier with the results. Of course, the whole thing has been made possible by the support of Solar City and the parents of those children involved!” she said.

“The project was all about getting the kids working towards something that was fantastic for the community and also for the environment. I’m just so pleased all our hard work paid off!”

Following is a list of all the awards presented on the night and their winners.

Limelight Award: Dr Nita Vasilescu
Production of the Year: Props Youth Theatre for Peter Pan
Jean-Pierre Voos Theatre Award: Madonna Davies
Event/Festival of the Year: Stable On The Strand
Outstanding Performance of the Year: Michael Gleeson
Regional Arts Development Fund Award: Ethnic Community Care Link Inc.
Visual Arts Award: Vonnie van Bemmel – Magnetic Island Tropical Talent Exhibition
Visual Arts Individual Award: Sylvia Ditchburn
Writing Award: Trisha Fielding, Flinders St Townsville – a Pictorial History
Film and Multi Media Award: Michelle Ryan, Peter Humble – Four Short Films about Juanita
Dance Award: Ulysses Dancers for Giselle
Music Award: Townsville Musos and Performing Arts Space
Technical Award: Glenn Shield

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