Woodford Community Art Group was formed in 1993
Where We Began
Group founder and disabled painter Kay Stewart of D’Aguilar was instrumental in starting up a range of activities for disabled people including horse riding and ten-pin bowling. The Woodford Art Group was also one of these activities. Originally there were just three members; Betty Sippel, Rosemary Warman and Beppi Bentley.
The first entry in WCAG’s Minutes Book. 1st November 1993
After regular meetings each week at the Woodford Community Hall for painting and tuition, it was decided by the group present on 1st November 1993 Betty Sippel, Rosemary Warman, Margaret Barlow, Kay Stewart, Narelle Turnbull, Vera Tredwell, Lyn Layfield and Beppie Bentley, to officially approach Bribie Island Community Arts Centre (BICAC) to become a sub-committee of that society.
A letter was sent to the above society. A reply was received on the 3rd of November informing us of our acceptance. The stipulation is, that each member of WCAG would have to join BICAC to display our work which each of us duly complied with.
First Exhibition
With 27 members, artists, potters, and one wood turner. The first exhibition of works from the Woodford Community Art Group was held at the BICAC with over 50 pieces of art ranging from portraits, pets, landscapes and seascapes in mediums of oil, pastel, watercolour and pen & ink and woodturning. The Woodford Potters also displayed more than 40 pieces.
Participating exhibitors included Beppie Bentley, Rosemary Cuskelly, Ian Harris, Jean Harris, Lyn Layfield, Sherry Page, Betty Sippel, Kay Stewart, Val Stewart, Vera Tredwell, Narelle Turnbull, Rosemary Warman and Jan Webster, plus woodturner Bill Warman, and Woodford Potters.
This exhibition was very successful with over one thousand visitors.
In 1997 Tilney’s Restaurant provided the space for WCAG’s first open art exhibition.
Permanent Home
Along with the Woodford Historical Society, we had wanted a permanent home for some time.
It is with thanks to the efforts of Greg Chippendale, who was our local MBRC Councillor at the time, for his efforts in establishing the project for enclosing the area under the Woodford Community Hall to accommodate space for the museum and the art group. This space is now amicably shared
The Woodford Community Museum and Arts Centre was officially opened on the 18th of May 2009.
We Get A Facelift
In 2020 the gallery underwent a refurbishment when the room walls and the movable walls were repainted.
Also, a library area was set up with a comfy two-seater lounge and chairs.
Lighting was improved a few years earlier when LED fluorescence lights were installed.
In 2022 the workroom had the roof replaced by MBRC to make the room more usable.
Storage cupboards, a TV and window blinds are in the process of being installed. We now have the perfect space for classes, events and an area for a large number of visitors to sit and relax with their morning tea before having a wander around the gallery and museum.