Coolum Kite Festival - Press release

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International artist donates sculpture to Coolum community

The IGA Coolum Kite Festival is not just about kites, this year the vibrant event will attract some of the best national and even international artists and sculptors to showcase their talent on the beach at Stumers Creek including internationally renowned Dutch sculptor, Robert Valkenburgh.

A furniture maker and designer by trade, Robert has been building kites and wind instruments for over 15 years. He will be coming to Coolum later this month to build a six metre high, bamboo sound sculpture especially for the festival.

The chiming wind sculpture will be donated to the Coolum community and will be a reminder of the sculptors' visit to the festival.

IGA Coolum Kite Festival Chairman, Noel Mooney, says that it is fantastic to see such high calibre artists and sculptors attending this year's festival, adding a new dimension to the event and making such valuable contributions to the Coolum community.

“This year we're expecting to attract record crowds with artists, kite flyers and visitors coming from all corners of the globe just to get involved and have a good time,” said Noel.

Tony Rice, an Australian artist who has won national acclaim for his imaginative kites, will also be showcasing his works at the festival. While community arts and kite education in schools make up a huge proportion of Tony's projects, he is a member of the Australia Kite Fliers Society and is a major influence among Australian kite artists for his use of traditional Asian kite-making techniques and materials.

The festival will also welcome Tamara Kirby from Struth Arts. Tamara has facilitated the creation of site specific works throughout Australia and internationally. Three giant lantern sculptures, ‘Flying Fish' will float along Stumers Creek as the centrepiece of the ‘Wings of Desire' spectacle on Saturday night. These ‘Fish' have been specifically created for the Coolum Kite Festival by Tamara.

Unique to Coolum Kite Festival, renowned local artists have been invited to create site specific installations and sculptures to feature in the beach setting. Sally Hart from Brisbane, will produce large stencil banners and flags, whilst Atto has constructed a giant cup and saucer lantern.

The 7th annual festival is being held from 22-23 September and has grown in popularity over the years. The 2007 festival theme is ‘Wings of Desire' which will see flying lantern images, shadow puppets, fire, pyrotechnics, skydiving and more, in a visual and musical display encompassing the ocean, the sky and the creek.

Music will set the scene for visitors to explore the imagery and sculptures, the internationally travelled, but local band, OKA will feature on the Saturday night having just returned from a 2 month Canada Tour where they featured at the Montreal Jazz Festival. Brisbane bands like Dubdoubt and Neighbourhood Groove Collective will be sure to have crowds dancing on the beach over the weekend as well.

Don't miss out on one of the Sunshine Coast 's most popular events. For more information on the IGA Coolum Kite Festival, please visit www.coolumkitefestival.com.

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