In pictures: Glam art exhibition launch

The Friday night event showcased a diverse range of creativity, featuring over 200 artworks.

The concept of Compact Prints started locally in Townsville in 2002 with a small exhibition of local printmakers and has since grown to this year include over 100 of prints created by artists from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Hungary, Japan, Romania, Turkey and USA.

Umbrella’s Gallery Manager and Curator Daniel Qualischefski said he has watched the program grow from humble beginnings, to becoming loved around the world as an opportunity for the printmaking community to exhibit, share and collect works.

“Artists send in three identical prints, one that will be swapped with another participating artist, one that will be auctioned as a fundraiser for Umbrella, and one to be exhibited” Mr Qualischefski said.

Townsville Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Heidi Turner said Compact Prints was a wonderful exhibition with a huge range of art works created by exceptional artists from the region and many from around the world.

“The live auction is a great way to start building your own art collection of art you love, like I have since my first successful bid in 2010.”

The event is a wonderful way to collect unique works by printmakers across the globe while supporting Umbrella through its fundraising auction.

The public is invited to support Umbrella’s local artists and attend the live auction for Compact Prints which will take place at 4:30pm Saturday, July 20 at Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts, 408 Flinders St.

For more details and to register to bid, visit umbrella.org.au/auction/

Umbrella’s June exhibitions will run until July 21.