21st annual McGregor Winter School

The 21st annual McGregor Winter School commenced today (Monday, 30 June 2008) at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ).

The Winter School has grown out of the enormous success of the celebrated USQ McGregor Summer Schools and offers an intensive five-day setting which runs until Friday, 4 July 2008.

McGregor Schools Program Administrator Christine Matthews said 126 students and 11 tutors will participate in a range of visual and creative arts classes.

'There are classes in watercolour, oils, landscapes, pastels, acrylics as well as jewellery making, engraving and etching and digital photography,' Ms Matthews said.

'The Winter School is a smaller and more focussed event than the Summer School and offers participants a chance to escape the daily grind for a week of creativity.'

Participants this year will also be treated to the first West-Star Motors Twilight Visual Arts Seminar by tutors-in-residence and international award-winning jeweller Rex Steele Merten and his twin, acclaimed sculptor Carl Conrad Merten.

The artists will present the seminar during their time at the University as Winter School tutors, offering attendees a rare chance to take a behind-the-scenes look at the techniques, skills and processes used in the creation of their artworks.

The conversational-style seminar will include question time and an opportunity for attendees to meet the artists and view their works up-close.

For further information about classes or the seminar, call Christine or Liz on (07) 4631 2755 or visit the website www.usq.edu.au/mcgregor

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559