McGregor Winter School opens

Creative hands will explore the potential of pastels, paint and play, when amateur and professional artists converge on Toowoomba for the USQ McGregor Winter School.

Spokesperson for the prestigious Arts retreat, Elizabeth Newbury, said this years' school has attracted more than 150 students.

'We have two students coming from New Zealand, as well as students from as far south as Adelaide and as far north as Cairns.

'The majority of these students will arrive on the Sunday afternoon and check into the residential college, before starting classes on Monday morning."

Elizabeth said the School has attracted some high-profile tutors this Winter.

'We are offering 16 classes this year, including Evening Life Drawing, Ethnic Ornamentation, Digital Photography and Freeform Knitting and Crochet.

'Maggie Bergman's Enamelling in Precious Metal Clay course has been very popular this year.

'Lyn Diefenbach, from Yeppoon, has also attracted a lot of interest with her Pastel Potential class,' Elizabeth said.

Tutor in Residence and McGregor Schools Patron, Irene Amos OAM, will return to the Toowoomba Campus for her 19th year in 2006.

'Irene is a very well respected Brisbane-based Artist and Tutor, who has held over forty solo exhibitions during her career.

'She has also tutored extensively in Queensland and NSW and has a respected reputation as a stimulating catalyst of mature insight.

'Irene's Creative Painting – Self Expression class has filled to capacity, and we are really looking forward to welcoming her back on Campus.'

Elizabeth said members of the public are invited to come on campus during the week to observe artists and classes from a distance.

 WHAT: Official opening 2006 USQ McGregor Winter School
 WHEN: Monday 10 July 2006, 8.30am
 WHERE: USQ Toowoomba Campus, Room L206

Media Contact: Amy Cass, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2092 or +61 412 097 326