Budding artists on hand for McGregor Summer School

The McGregor Summer School starts today

More than 500 budding artists have descended on Toowoomba for the University of Southern Queensland's (USQ) annual McGregor School arts retreat, which starts today, Wednesday January 7 2009.

People from across Australia and the globe will hone their skills through a series of classes over the next ten days, with both Australian and international lecturers on hand.

'This year we have a lot of people from Queensland but there are also some from across Australia and a few from overseas,' McGregor Summer School Program Administrator Christine Matthews said.

'There are people from Canada the Philippines and Ireland who will join local aspiring artists in the classes.

'We also have some of Australia's finest artists here as lecturers such as Lyn Butchart, who is one of the nations finest water colour and pastel artists who will pass on their knowledge to the students.'

Running at the University since 1969 the School has grown from three classes and 43 students to over 50 classes and 520 students in 2009.

A number of new classes have also been added to further diversify the arts retreat.

'This year we are offering wildlife and companion visual art, portrait sculpture and precious little: poetics of the found object, which is a style of jewellery making,' Ms Matthews said.

Concluding on Saturday January 17, the public are invited to attend a special exhibition, which will feature works of those students who took part in the summer school.

'We will have a student exhibition for people to come and have a look at, which will showcase the art of those from this year's McGregor Summer School.

'The community are welcome to come and have a look and also listen to the 1812 overture, which will also be held on the same day.'

The student exhibition and 1812 overture will be held from 12pm to 4pm on Saturday January 17.

People after more information on the McGregor Summer Schools can visit http://www.usq.edu.au/mcgregor/default.htm or call 4631 2755.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559