Carolyn McDowall, Writer in Residence

Carolyn McDowall, Writer in Residence

By studying all forms of art we can feel elated or uplifted or, just as easily respond in a negative way. How we respond depends on our knowledge or, how our imagination is stimulated visually.

Carolyn McDowall has been involved with the creative sector for over thirty years in Australia; completing interior design projects, creating innovative corporate and community events, conducting original research and designing, developing, and producing continuing education arts programs in conjunction with specialist colleagues.

Carolyn is a Fellow of the RSA at London and a founding Director of The Culture Concept Circle, the Australian Antique and Art Dealers Association, the Royal Society of Arts Australia + NZ, Opera Foundation Australia (Qld) and, the Academy of Design and Decorative Arts at Sydney and Brisbane (The Academy 1992 – 2005).

She has also held key positions on committees and boards aiding the development, fund raising and raising awareness for social profit organizations throughout her professional and personal life. Her keen interest in the evolution of art, design and culture has meant she has delivered public talks, published articles and delivered special presentations to a broad spectrum of both corporate and community organizations.

A love of music from many sources has meant that Carolyn also spent some 30 + years as a patron and mentor for singers and musicians, while singing in choirs in both secular and sacred arenas.

In 2012 Carolyn McDowall is writer in residence at The Culture Concept Circle producing its newsletter, historical and topical posts, cultural comments, podcasts, ebooks and on line videos.

Historically

2005 – 2009 Brisbane City Council

For Brisbane 150th Anniversary Founding Families celebration she produced the Civic Event. This included writing the script for a team of actors re-enacting the founding of Brisbane as a municipality. She also produced the Brisbane 150^th Celebrations Community Event The Big City Draw held over 13 days in June/July 2009 in the Queen Street Mall. This fun community event free for people of all ages to draw to the sound of music attracted over 11,000 participants. She also compered some events held on Brisbane’s 150th Anniversary day 6th September 2009 at Southbank.

From 2006 – 2008 for Brisbane City Council Carolyn was producer of Operapolitan, taking Opera from the Concert Hall to the Shopping Mall in conjunction with Westfield and Retail First Shopping Centres. She was also founding city producer for the world wide music phenomenon Féte de la Musique at Brisbane in 2008. In 2009 she was the Artists Co-ordinator for over 330 artists in 50+ venues across the city. She produced musical events in Brisbane’s Cathedrals as part of the Music that Resonates series.

1992 – 2005 Academy of Design and Decorative Arts- Brisbane/Sydney

Carolyn was core lecturer for the Foundation Certificate Course The Evolution of Western Art, Design and Culture and guest lecturer on the Advanced Certificate Course. She guided three international study tours in England between 1997 and 2002 in conjunction with celebrated English House and Garden historians Ann and Alan Gore (History of English Interiors – The English Garden).

Carolyn has customized special art, design and style presentations in Sydney for David Jones, The Queen’s Club, Opera Foundation Australia Social Committee, the Ceramic Society, and the Jane Austen Society.  At Brisbane for the High Rise Rotarians, Mid City Rotarians, Inner Wheel, Queensland Club and the friends of St. John’s Cathedral. She delivered the inaugural Neita Bell furniture lecture for the Lyceum Club. Her articles have been published in magazines, newspapers and periodicals.

1965 – 1992 and 2005 – 2008

Carolyn was engaged in renovation work and major interior design projects for private clients. She was also co-ordinating and producing special events for various social profit organisations.

Photograph 2008 Antoine Matarasso, www.studiomatarasso.com

simply irresistible…the arts, in all their forms, enliven our experiences, inspire our endeavours, expand enterprise, shape our identity and contribute to our well being: art design music and style represent the very essence of our culture its attitudes and philosophies its fashions and passions: join us and change the way you view the world: gain the confidence to invest in art: inspire the creation of beautiful and thought-provoking works: theatre music architecture gardens painting sculpture ceramics textiles and costume are design and art disciplines that best reflect our cultural evolution: nineteenth century social commentator John Ruskin said fine art was where the hand, head and the heart of man went together: art and design history knowledge is vital for anyone seeking to make their way in the world today: legendary restaurateur Claude Terrail said the new art of living is the art of living that has always been, except for a few small inventions and, nothing should be taken more seriously than pleasure itself: we make history by reinventing everything eternal in our past