BrisCulture

I think the general consensus was that the ‘Creative Brisbane’ event was both a really lovely and incredibly stimulating and interesting conversation and a very enjoyable night! It’s perhaps for others to judge, but I really felt that we began as we intended to go on – by creating a space where we could connect to each other and leverage the incredible creativity that exists in this town, and begin to talk to each other about how we can achieve our collaborative – if diverse goals – by co-creating, recreating and cultivating the wellsprings of creativity that we all draw strength from every day.

It was significant, I think, that we met in a space that was once a place of translating working women and men’s desires, through a wonderful collective pedagogy, into social action. Those recollections, I think, resonated, as did the beautiful surroundings of the Bleeding Heart Gallery, whose so valuable work towards empowering Indigenous folk and their arts practice and capabilities, inspired all of us and reminded us of the sacred Indigenous spaces we – all – continue – to navigate and respect.

We’ll be opening up a space on the blog section of the BrisCulture website over the next few days to reflect we co-created at Creative Brisbane, and to share those insights and collaborate with those who were ‘absent friends’ as it were.

The entire event was filmed, and in due course, and again furthering our objective of curating and cultivating a continuing conversation, that vision will be available to one and all via our website, and will be opened up for comment and chat.

I myself was so heartened and encouraged by the vitality and the commitment on display! I know that BrisCulture can do good work in the world – as a project of cherishing, and co-creating a living culture between all of us!

Both Tony Robertson and Jonathon Rodgers were kind enough to act as event photographers, and once their superb images are processed, we’ll make them available. In the meantime, my and Michael Carden’s amateur – in the true and good sense of the word! – shots can be seen here.

It remains for me to make some more acknowledgements – to Cate Gilpin for her amazing organisational efforts, to Bruce Muirhead and Tim London and Eidos Institute for their fervent belief and expert facilitation of the concept, to Rochelle Els and many others in Council and the Brisbane CitySmart Innovation Festival for their encouragement and support, to Miriam Lyons and the CPD for their enthusiasm, to Pete Collins and the lovely folk @ Bleeding Heart for the space and the hospitality, to Linda Carroli, Jaz Choi and Marcus Westbury as wonderful co-panellists, to Greg Jenkins and Ken Lyons at the QUT end for spreading the word, and most of all, to everyone who came along, and everyone whose well wishes and willingness to collaborate in the future has been an incredible source of validation and faith for our vision!

I’d also like to acknowledge Danielle Bentley, who unfortunately was prevented by adverse and unavoidable circumstances from appearing on the panel, for her inspiration, hard work, ideas and spirit. Truly, the event would not have been possible without her involvement.

I think we started something last night! And I look forward so much to working with all of you to a most fruitful and indefinite journey down the road towards creating a sustainable future for a truly Creative Brisbane!

Update: Tony Robertson has posted his photos on Picasa.