A Successful Launch

The launch yetsterday went off without too many hitches. (the hitches happened before the event!) We had quite a crowd and it was especially heartening to see so many students from the workshops there - as well as their teachers.

An exhibition of all of the work from LC2008 and LC2009 was mounted in the tunnel, including photos of much of the original work produced by students in LC2008. There were also red balloons (reminiscent of last year's wrokshop) and some pretty delicious food provided by council's caterers.

Les Hooper (KGSC) acted as our MC and, after a brief introduction to the project, introduced Councillor Amanda Cooper and State MP, Grace Grace who each briefly addressed the audience. All speakers were enthusiastic about the work done in the park at Kemp Place and were particularly impressed by the contributions of our workshop participants in 2008 and 2009.

After the speeches, certificates were presented to each of the student participants and they were thanked individually for their involvement. Thanks to Amanda Cooper and Grace Grace for staying back to congratulate each of the students during this part of the proceedings - it was really great of you both.

For those of you who weren't able to attend - we missed you! Really! Your school buddies picked up your certificates for you, so be sure to get them when you catch up with them at school.

To all the teachers who I met - it was a real pleasure! Here is a real project that shows that there is a place in the 'real' world for art and design. More than that, there is a place for thinking outside of the square that people like yourselves are in a position to expose our young people to.

It was great to see some parents there as well. It was an unfortunate time of day (not the idea of Living City organisers) which made it difficult for parents to attend. To our participating students - please share this website with your parents. Show them what you did, what you like about the outcomes and what you would have liked to be done differently.

Once again, thanks to all involved with the workshops and construction - our artists, Sebastian, Simone and Adrian, as well as Judy Watson from last year, Lubi, Lauren, BCC Parks and City Works, and in particular, our students. Special thanks to Genevieve and verge for all their efforts in the construction process and organising the launch. Thanks also to Connecting Brisbane and Q150 for funding the project.

You all contributed to something that all involved can be really proud of.

Teachers - Booklets outlining and illustrating the entire process are available and include the student work form LC2008. If you haven't got a copy or would like one for your school library, please contact Les Hooper at Kelvin Grove State College. They are free of charge - though cost a bomb to produce!

Cheers
Peter

Just a small sample of pics from the launch below. For others, please go to the Launch Event gallery.
If you have any photos from the event that you would like uploaded to this site, please forward them to peter@verge.com.au .