South Burnett Regional Council, Media Release, 8 September 2021

The team behind Blackbutt Avocado Festival is pleased to launch the Blackbutt Shopfront Art Trail from Saturday 11 September.

The Blackbutt Avocado Festival committee was awarded $4,242 by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund in May, which enabled new work to be commissioned by six South Burnett-based artists. Artworks have been digitised and printed on adhesive shopfront decal, and will be installed on windows and doors throughout Blackbutt’s CBD.

“Our festival has been firmly focused on including more arts in our Festival and in Blackbutt. This is a fantastic opportunity for South Burnett residents and visitors to our community to view original artworks produced by local artists,” said President Jeff Connor. “We congratulate artists David Daniel, Robyn Dower, Pam Ettridge, Sharon Grant, Lynnette Mckaskill and Patrician van Kempen on their artworks.”

Residents and visitors are invited to follow the trail on foot, with artworks available to view in shopfronts at the following locations:

• Roy Emerson Museum (Lot 31 Bowman Road)
• Blackbutt Library/Archie Muir Centre (69 Hart Street)
• Blackbutt Hardware (26 Coulson Street)
• Blackbutt Art Gallery (38A Coulson Street)
• Bunyanut Café (39 Coulson Street)
• Hotel Radnor (Cnr Hart and Coulson Streets)

Arts Project Officer Olivia Everitt said, “The Blackbutt Shopfront Art Trail celebrates an opportunity for artists and businesses to come together. We thank the businesses involved for embracing this exhibition concept, and encourage locals and visitors to enjoy the artworks as you shop in town, stop for a coffee or enjoy the Rail Trail.”

The street exhibition will run from 11 September – 11 November 2021. Further information about the artists and featured artworks can be found at: https://www.avofest.com.au/blackbuttarts.

This project was made possible by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia.

For further information or comment, please contact Olivia Everitt (Arts Project Officer, Blackbutt Avocado Festival) on arts@avofest.com.au or 0432 556 830.