image credit: Cooper Brady
26.6553° S 153.0932° E
maroochydore
4558
MAROOCHYDORE
The Keeper Project is coming to Maroochydore...
Ten local artists connected to Maroochydore have been selected to take on the role of Keepers until February 2027.
Starting in June, each artist will be present in the Maroochydore community for three weeks over a nine month period.
They will be exploring the streets and sites of Maroochydore and uncovering the uniqueness of the town. Through their creative act in the public realm they will make visible the things that go unseen.
You may encounter the Keepers as you go about your everyday life or follow the project as it passes from Keeper to Keeper.
The Keepers will be logging their journey like any good explorer.
Keep an eye on this website for logs and updates, follow us on Instagram and Facebook
The Keeper Project is produced by Red Chair and developed in collaboration with Field Theory.
Lee Hardisty*
Artist
JUNE 22 - JULY 12
Maroochydore is growing so fast, I like walking around the new city areas and imagining the new families that will live there. So close to the beach and rivers. They can literally walk everywhere.
Kayaking out to Goat Island with the homeschool tribe to follow tiny crabs along the sand banks or sit in the shade of the trees.
Ro Clark*
Artist
AUGUST 03 - 23
The best kept secret of Maroochydore is Equity Works, located just outside the Kmart entrance at Sunshine Plaza. It's full of incredible artworks.
Living here feels like holiday vibes all year round.
I've now lived locally for the past 16 years and honestly don't think there's a better place in the world.
Teddy Horton
Artist
14 SEPTEMBER - 04 OCTOBER
The first place I visited was Horton Parade. It turns out nearly 100 years ago Robert Earnest Horton (no relation) donated the land that became Horton Park and eventually the golf course. The golf course has now become the site of the new city centre.
I love to check out all the great Op shops! I think they are a real draw card, I hope they don't get squeezed out as the city grows.
Sally Brown*
Artist
JULY 13 - AUGUST 02
I love listening to the happy sounds of people enjoying this special place.
In Cotton Tree there is a tree that symbolises my current arts practice. This tree regularly peels away its outer layers of bark to reveal beautiful 'skin' that wraps around its trunk in a kaleidoscope of light brown tones.
Jordyn Burnett*
Artist
AUGUST 24 -SEPTEMBER 13
Every night we would ride our bikes over the hill, work with the Monties crew which we called family and eventually ride home smelling of an assortment os Mexican spices and sangria.
There's something about Maroochydore which will always suck us back in and bring a comfort that I call home.
No one knows how the eels got into Nelson Park pond, and if you do know please tell me.
Terry Murphy*
Artist
OCTOBER 05 - 25
One of my favourite places to go is the mouth of the Maroochy River and walking the open beach to Alex Headlands. Taking photos of the sunrise over the ocean.
The continual buying and selling of houses in my neighbourhood... watching the 'change of guard' over time...
Maybe new secrets are growing as the ones I knew have gone or changed.
Nicky Wilkinson*
Artist
OCTOBER 26 - NOVEMBER 15
It's constantly evolving. There's a fascinating tension between laid-back costal life and a growing, ambitious urban centre, which makes it feel full of possibility.
With the loss of my beloved Solbar... I'm learning to accept that place, as well as people, are always evolving. It's part of what keeps a place alive.
The unexpected conversations and character you notice when you slow down and really look around.
Olivia Smith*
Artist
NOVEMBER 16 - DECEMBER 6
My favourite place is still by the River and I think it always will be. I am absolutely fascinated by the way that virtually all animal life in the ocean is born in that river and despite the city growing around it, I can feel the cultural significance of this place, I can feel the old people in the mangroves and I'm always wondering about the history of this place.
The different demographics of the people you meet here and that it's an up and coming city with nowhere to dance and nothing much to do.
Cynthia Lee*
Artist
JANUARY 11 - 31
Photographing live gigs in dark rooms full of movement...Solbar... Eleven Dive Bar...Maroochydore became tide to those nights of live music and subculture. Both of those venues no longer exist, but their energy still lingers in memory.
There is always something peaceful yet mysterious about the water and mangroves at night. Maroochydore holds both sides of itself for me, the energy of live music and the peacefulness of the river.
Phil Smith*
Artist
FEBRUARY 01 - 21
One of my favourite things to do/place to go in Maroochydore is catch the 600 bus to and from Maroochydore, draw my fellow travellers and speculate wildly about their lives.
It's more like a coastal village that has responsibilities of being a 'city' imposed on it.
It feels like a young surfer or musician coming out of its teenage years into its early 20's and reluctantly acknowledging that is has other more useful skills and that it's just easier to grow up!
The Keeper is produced by Red Chair in collaboration with Strange Engine.
The Keeper is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, it's principle arts investment and advisory board. The Keeper is supported by the Sunshine Coast Council in partnership with the Queensland Government through the Regional Arts Development Fund.
