Our town: Shibukawa and Logan sister cities children's art exchange exhibition

Logan and Japanese students learn from shared art visions

City of Logan landmarks have been showcased in Japan through a unique joint art opportunity that will now be displayed locally.

Primary school students from the sister cities of Logan and Shibukawa in Japan have created artwork based on a shared theme of Our Town for the children’s art exchange project.

City of Logan students chose to represent landmarks such as Kingston Butter Factory, Berrinba Wetlands, Daisy Hill Forest, Logan Hyperdome, Tygum Lagoon, Eagleby Wetlands, the Red Bridge, Beenleigh Historical Village and Mayes Cottage.

Students from Shibukawa represented the historic Stone Step Street of Ikaho Onsen, Shibukawa City Gate, Rusen-ji Temple Goma-do Hall, Mount Komochi, Ikaho-jinja Shrine, Kajika Bridge and the Belly Button Festival of Shibukawa.

As part of the exchange exhibition, all artworks were shown in a digital format in Shibukawa in February this year.

The artworks will now go on display at a Logan Art Gallery Pop-up at Logan West Community Centre in Wineglass Drive, Hillcrest.

Due to maintenance work at the gallery in Logan Central, the pop-up space will continue to operate.

New exhibitions, including Our Town, will open on Friday, June 17 and run until Saturday,
July 23.

This exhibition round will be officially opened between 6pm and 8pm on Friday, June 17 by Australia Japan Society Queensland Inc Vice President David Shields, who will also present a traditional musical performance.

City Lifestyle Chair, Councillor Laurie Koranski, said the art exchange between the City of Logan and Shibukawa began 15 years ago.

“This bi-annual exhibition gives our local students the wonderful opportunity to work with others in another part of the world to create a shared vision of their local communities,” Cr Koranski said.

“I encourage City of Logan residents to take the time to visit the Logan Gallery
Pop-Up and experience the students’ artworks as well as the other interesting exhibitions on display.”

Division 2 Councillor Teresa Lane said students from Woodridge State School and Harris Field State School had worked hard with teachers and art gallery staff to create their artworks.

“This program helps to foster cross-cultural understanding and gives both groups an insight into the City of Logan and Shibukawa,” Cr Lane said.

“Students from both countries have produced some amazing artworks which represent places of personal interest to them. I congratulate them on their efforts.”

This gallery round also includes the following exhibitions:

• Stitched together showcases works by the Southside Upcycling Stitchers Collective of local artists and makers who use fabric waste, donated clothing and sewing to upcycle and transform garments. This exhibition is supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the Queensland Government and Logan City Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
• World Environment Day posters which are a collection of vibrant artworks designed by young artists from the City of Logan.
• Stories of the Northern Peninsula: recent acquisitions for the Logan Art Collection of works by First Nations artists from Far North Queensland.

Logan Gallery Pop-Up will open from 10am to 5pm between Tuesday and Saturday. Entry is free.