Decorative Folk Artists of Queensland Inc

The Decorative Folk Artists of Queensland Inc. is a group of friendly, caring and sharing people who enjoy painting. We share ideas and techniques through our newsletters, workshops, meetings and annual convention. We have about 5 General Meetings a year at the Mt Gravatt Showgrounds, Logan Road, Mt Gravatt just south of Brisbane city.

Members receive four great newsletters a year packed with information as well as a design & pattern to paint at their leisure.

At our meetings we have friendly, positive discussions about our future events. There are Trash & Treasure tables after the meetings and often demonstrations of new products and techniques. There is a large library of books, videos and DVDs for members to borrow. We have introduced some new exciting ideas like ‘Brush in a Rush’ days plus “bring a friend” scheme. At these meetings we always have a member’s lucky door prize, so come along and join us for lunch, catch up with old friends and take the opportunity to make some new friends.

HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION

In March 1991, while a group of folk artists was attending a Folk Art Seminar in Brisbane, discussions began about forming a Queensland Folk Art Association. A meeting of all interested persons was held in April 1991. Seven people attended this first meeting although many others had indicated an interest and a desire to join. It was decided not to affiliate with the Folk & Decorative Artists of Australia as it was felt that distances were just too great for active involvement. Instead it was agreed that Queensland should have an Association and a Newsletter of its own. Names were discussed and the DECORATIVE FOLK ARTISTS OF QUEENSLAND was agreed upon, and that our logo be a Cooktown Orchid set inside a map of Queensland. This logo is now proudly displayed on membership cards, badges, the Association’s stationery and also on our banner.

In the beginning, the members of the executive put in many hours in organising for the Association to become “Incorporated” and for a quarterly newsletter to be published and circulated. They were supported by a small but staunch group of members from Brisbane, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and Toowoomba in spreading the word about the Association and its aims. These aims are: “To bring together Folk and Decorative Artists and to promote opportunities for the appreciation and understanding of various Folk Art styles and traditions.”

Thus the wheels of the DFAQ were set in motion, gathering new members along the way. While the Association was only 12 months ‘young’, our first Paint-in Convention was held and is today an annual event eagerly looked forward to. Since the first in Minden in 1992, each year some new facet is added to make the weekend even more enjoyable than the last. In 2006, the Association celebrated its 15th Anniversary Paint-in Convention on the Gold Coast.

A Book Hire Scheme was introduced in 1993 in keeping with our aim to provide items of interest which would be of benefit to all members and now our library consists of nearly 400 books, videos and DVDs which can be taken out on loan.

In 1995 negotiations with the Queensland Royal National Association (RNA) were commenced with the aim of having a Folk Art section and this is always supported by our members and the standard of their painted work is always extremely high. Our committee also arranged for DFAQ demonstration stands at the first Women’s Weekly Craft Show and the Stitches & Craft Show in 1995 and subsequent years. These stands, manned by dedicated members, received so much attention from the public that the Association’s membership increased substantially as a result.

Over the years the DFAQ has maintained contact with similar associations in other States and has also given praise to its own members for so many individual triumphs. Excellent links have also been built up with many of the wholesale companies who continue to be generous in their support and sponsorships. As a non-profit organisation, over the years since we began we have supported the following charities through our fundraising: The Heart Foundation - The Salvation Army - The Starlight ‘Make a Wish’ Foundation - The Variety Club of Australia - Cleft Pals - The Mater Children’s Hospital Appeal and Limbkids. We are now proudly supporting the Memory Box Artist Program.

Every position within the Association is voluntary and with our membership spanning the whole of Queensland and most other Australian states, as well as members in Canada and New Zealand, it is not always possible for all members to actively participate. However, if each and every one continues to uphold the aims of the Association then they will be playing an active part. Whether you are a raw beginner, an experienced painter, an office bearer, a new member or a sponsor, please feel proud of your Association - it has come far in its short existence and with your help and support it still has an exciting and challenging future ahead.