Cooktown School of Art Society Inc
Cooktown Creative Arts Association
Located at the Old Cooktown Railway Station in Charlotte Street (opposite the West Coast Hotel) the Cooktown Creative Arts Association is a show case for local artists and craft people. For more information phone (07) 4069 5794
Visit the Website for more information.
In late 1990 and early 1991, a group of 15 local artists and craftspeople saw the need for an association which would cater for a wider range of art and craft based activities.
At a public meeting held on 31st January 1991, a motion was put that a new arts and craft group be formed in Cooktown. With overwhelming support for this motion, a steering committee of 6 people were nominated. The first meeting of the newly formed Cooktown Creative Arts Association (C.C.A.A.) was held on 13th February, 1991.
The number of members quickly rose from 19 to 50 within a month, and by the years end was close to 80 members.
Many workshops and classes were well attended. These included a design workshop, learn to draw, wood carving, poetry evenings, art history lectures, painting and life drawing.
Without a central building to operate from, classes were held at the school, CWA hall, members’ homes and Gungarde hall.
Due to the enormous success of an exhibition of local art and craft run by the Cooktown Regional Action Group, a shop in Charlotte Street was opened where artists could market their work.
In February 1999, the group took on Artspace which consisted of the lower ground floor of the then active Kindergarten which operated in the old Railway Station in Charlotte Street. Eventually the Kindy moved to another location and the building was available for lease from the Cook Shire Council. The CCAA applied for the lease and were successful, and in September 2001 the new CCAA Art and Craft Shop opened its doors for the first time. We had a home at last.
The shop is manned by the artists and volunteers and the Artspace is still used for workshops. Several years later the CCAA gas kiln was installed in its own separate enclosure adjacent to the Artspace.
Today the CCAA has members of which have their art / craft for sale in the shop. Sales are steadily increasing each year, providing local artists with a source of income, as well as a wonderful venue to showcase their talents. We have displays of wood work, furniture, paintings, jewellery, stained glass, quilts, can baskets, silk paintings, T-shirts, post cards, etched glasses and photography.
The association also offers a range of workshops and demonstrations throughout the year. President Helen Hagen and the friendly staff welcomes customers to browse through the shop and enjoy the wide range of art and craft produced by the talented local artists.
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