Q&A with Towers Arts! - FULL ARTICLE

Excerpt from Sumpton’s Gold Rush Gazette - Friday 11th of July 2025

Towers Arts VP Leanne Edwards, President Beverley Stone, and Secretary Serina Dorrestijn at the Old School of Mines Building

The iconic community centre for local artists at the famous School of Mines building, Towers Arts has been through some changes in the past year.

The following Q&A features Serina Dorrestijn, Secretary of Towers Arts, with important information about the organisation for the community.

Those looking to explore their artistic interests can contact Towers Arts through towersarts@gmail.com or check out their physical location.

Q: What is Towers Arts and how has Towers Arts changed in the past year?

A: Towers Arts is a community centre for local artists to work on their passions in art. We are housed in the historic School of Mines building, open 6 days a week to the public who can view our centre, visit our shop and see the works our artists create. This past year has seen a lot of changes with the onboarding of a new executive committee and a dedicated push to increase our membership. A year ago Towers Arts was looking at closing due to small membership numbers and in the past 6 months has seen a renewed vigour with dedicated new members and longer term members all coming together to ensure that the centre can remain open.

Q: What events, services, and/or workshops does Towers Arts facilitate for the local community?

A: This year we have hosted a couple of workshops, currently we are in the middle of our school holiday program; a program supported by Charters Towers Regional Council through funding and run by our dedicated team of volunteers. Earlier this year we hosted a paint’n’sip workshop that was attended by 29 members of the community and we have a fashion show taking place in our gallery hall in September with works created by one of our members, an indigenous woman whose clothing creations embody her heritage and uniqueness as an artist. In addition we have another couple of workshops currently being planned and our September school holiday program which based on the huge success of the current program will be well attended and provides a service to the community that not only gives families activities for the children in the holidays but right at the heart of our ethos is supporting the development of young up and coming artists through the experience of trying many different types of craft and art activities.

Q: How can local creatives get in contact with you?

A: Local creatives can get in touch simply by popping into the centre anytime and speaking with one of our volunteers, or can email us at towersarts@gmail.com anytime.

Q: What is your message to the Charters Towers community?

A: Art is a great way to express, nurture and care for oneself, and our community is thriving with artists of all ages, experiences and modalities. Towers Arts is a place where artists can come together, connect and have a space to work in together, building the incredible artistic talent within our community. Towers Arts members inspire each other and love to inspire others whether they are beginners or skilled artisans. Pop in, spend time chatting with our artists, enjoy the history of the building and join our membership and make Towers Arts a place you can come and spend time on your artistic passions.