Firstly, a tremendous thank you to Esther Horton, who has been steering the QWASI ship over the last three years as our President. Esther has put a lot of energy and effort into QWASI – directing the team, making sure exhibitions are well-organised and well-attended, creating stunning works of art and being a fountain of knowledge besides. These are certainly very big shoes to fill!
But, I’m going to try.
My name is Nadya Neklioudova, and I was born in the same year that QWASI was founded – in 1983. I moved to Australia shortly after finishing studies at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (aka NSCAD University, Canada). I joined QWASI as an exhibiting artist in 2010, and have been part of most of our exhibitions and meetings since. I’ve been on the QWASI Committee as a Graphic Designer for several years, as well as a general committee member, helping out where/when possible.
QWASI has given me so much over the 15 years of being a member – artist connections, friendships, exhibition opportunities, workshops, travel and learning opportunities… the list goes on! I’ve grown so much as an artist through QWASI – and with Esther stepping down, it was time to step up and give more to this wonderful Art Society, so that it can continue to flourish.
QWASI is and has always been a wonderful group of like-minded people. People who deeply love Nature, and express their love for wildlife through painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, scratchboard – and so many more different and wildly inspiring ways! Many members also give back to Nature by working with animals, volunteering for wildlife rescue or being wildlife carers, and educating others about unique species and habitats.
As wildlife artists, we are not just part of QWASI’s 42-year history here in Australia – we are part of the continuous human tradition of wildlife art, of observing and depicting Nature for 100,000 years. Wildlife art is indeed the oldest form of human art, human creative expression. As soon as humans realised they could make lasting marks on surfaces, they drew and painted animals in the natural world that surrounded them. Before writing emerged, telling stories through art was vital to our survival. It still is.
In this current world of high-speed technological development, of generative AI, of being bombarded by media information from morning till night – art is the very thing that keeps us human, that centers us, connects us to Nature, reminds us of what’s truly important. QWASI connects artists with others, our creative community. Walking into an exhibition of beautiful and diverse wildlife art is so inspiring, and lifts my spirits each and every time. Helping and participating in exhibitions – even more so!
With that in mind, I am so thankful to the current QWASI Committee:
- Vice-President: Cathy Howie
- Treasurer: Bernardine Hine
- Secretary: Janet Kampen
- Exhibition Coordinator Mt Coot-tha: Maureen See
- Exhibition Coordinators Bribie: Bernardine Hine, Esther Horton
- Volunteer Roster Coordinator: Meg Noack
- Webmaster: Cathy Howie, Esther Horton
- Newsletter Editor: Jan Lowe, Janet Kampen
- Catering Coordinator: Margaret Cullen
- Social Media Coordinator: Cathy Howie
- Graphic Designer: Carol Clark
- QWASI Storage coordinator: Barry Ingham
- Artwork Receiving and Returning Coordinator: Margaret Cullen
- General Committee members: Genevieve Starkey, Marcelle Stirling, Susan Tilgner
As an art society with decades-long history, QWASI has the systems in place – but it’s the members that give their enthusiasm, share their knowledge and experience that keeps QWASI going strong when many other artist societies have sadly closed. Thank you so much to all our exhibiting artist members, and friends of QWASI! It is because of all of you that the Society has thrived through the years. I am so excited to be part of QWASI’s future!
Our next exhibition is just around the corner, running from April 15th through to June 8th at the Boonah Regional Art Gallery. (A special thank you to Maureen See for coordinating this exhibition!) With over 80 original artworks from 25 talented artists, plus a fantastic selection of merchandise, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Boonah is a perfect spot for a day trip from Brisbane or anywhere in SE QLD, and the Scenic Rim has so much to explore—why not make a weekend of it.
Nadya Neklioudova
QWASI President