Stronger Together

One of the greatest strengths of any community is the way people come together to share their talents, passions and ideas. As artists, we often spend many hours working alone in our studios, but the impact of what we create reaches far beyond our own walls. Art has a unique ability to connect people, spark conversations, celebrate local stories and contribute to the vibrancy of the communities in which we live.

At the same time, artists themselves thrive through community. Whether it's through gallery membership, exhibitions, local events, collaborations or simply the encouragement of fellow creatives, the relationships we build help sustain and inspire us. Networking is not just about promoting our work; it's about creating connections, sharing opportunities and supporting one another's growth. When artists work together, communities become richer, more engaged and more creative places to live.

This month's newsletter highlights three wonderful examples of these connections in action. One celebrates an upcoming community street party that will bring people together through creativity, entertainment and shared experiences. The second showcases a special sculpture commission supporting a charity whose reading assistance dogs are helping young people build confidence and develop a love of reading, and lastly Seaview Gallery’s participation in the Sunshine Coast Open Studios event.

This month’s newsletter reminds us that art is about more than objects on a wall or sculptures in a garden. It is about people. It is about relationships, collaboration and the positive difference that can be made when individuals, organisations and communities work together toward a common goal.

Thank you to all our members, volunteers, supporters and visitors who continue to contribute to our creative community. Together, we help ensure that art remains an important and valued part of community life.

Sunsets, Street Eats and Seaview Gallery open late, Moffat Beach street party returns!

If there is one thing Moffat Beach does well, it's bringing people together. On Thursday, 18 June, one of the Sunshine Coast's most beloved headlands will come alive as Seaview Terrace is transformed into a vibrant street party celebrating local businesses, community spirit and the unique lifestyle that makes Moffat Beach so special.

From 4.00 pm to 8.00 pm, the terrace will be closed to traffic and opened to people, creating a relaxed festival atmosphere where visitors can stroll, explore and soak up the magic of a winter evening by the sea.

The event also marks an important milestone for the community, celebrating the progress of the Moffat Beach seawall project. While construction has been slow, it represents an investment in protecting this much-loved stretch of coastline for future generations. The street party offers an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to come together and celebrate both the beach and the resilient community that surrounds it.

Food lovers will be spoilt for choice, with a range of street food offerings from savoury bites to sweet treats, and perhaps a cocktail or two as the sun begins to set, the evening promises plenty of opportunities to indulge.

As part of the celebrations, Seaview Artists Gallery will also remain open until 8.00 pm, giving visitors the opportunity to browse the work of local artists, meet gallery members and experience the creative heart of the Moffat Beach community. It's the perfect stop between market stalls, music and dining, and another wonderful way to support local talent.

So, gather your friends, bring the family and head down to Moffat Beach on Thursday, 18 June. Whether you're there for the markets, the music, the food, the art or simply the sunset the Moffat Beach Street Party promises to be a wonderful celebration of community by the sea.

Event Details

Where: Seaview Terrace, Moffat Beach

When: Thursday 18 June 2026

Time: 4.00 pm – 8.00 pm

Tickets: Free (registration required)

A Story Dog, a Whale and the Joy of Reading

As artists, we are often invited into people's lives through commissions. Sometimes those commissions tell a story far bigger than the artwork itself.

Recently, Seaview Artist Amanda Stuart had the privilege of creating a sculpture for a local volunteer, Maree Keating, who spends her time helping children discover the joy of reading through the Story Dogs Program. The sculpture features a child and a Golden Retriever- Jasmine reading together while sitting atop a whale, a whimsical image that celebrates imagination, learning and the special bond between children and dogs.

The inspiration for the sculpture came from Jasmine, an eleven-year-old Golden Retriever, and her owner, Maree, who volunteers with the Story Dogs team. Across Australia, Story Dogs helps more than 2,700 children each week improve their reading confidence through one-on-one reading sessions with accredited dogs and their volunteer handlers. The organisation currently works with hundreds of schools nationwide, creating safe, supportive and non-judgemental environments where children can learn and grow.

What makes the program so successful is remarkably simple. Children who may feel anxious about reading aloud often relax when reading to a dog. There is no judgement, no pressure and no fear of making mistakes. Instead, there is a patient listener with four paws and a wagging tail.

Each week, Jasmine and her volunteer partner Maree, spend time with four Year 2 students, supporting them throughout the school year. Every child receives around twenty minutes of individual reading time, with books carefully selected by Maree to match their interests and reading abilities. Sometimes that means finding stories about motorbikes, high-performance cars or other favourite subjects.

The goal is not simply to improve literacy. It is to build confidence.

"It’s wonderful to see kids grow in confidence over the year," Maree explains. "Sometimes I’m not sure we’ve made a difference, then I meet their mum or dad, and they say thank you so much, you have no idea the difference you have made”. That feeling that we helped them in some small way never gets old."

Those simple words capture the heart of community volunteering. The greatest impacts are often the quietest ones, a child who begins to enjoy reading, a student who gains confidence, a parent who sees their child starting to believe in themselves or simply a child who doesn’t want to go to school suddenly wanting to go.

Story Dogs describes its mission as making reading fun, so children become confident lifelong readers. The program provides weekly one-on-one reading sessions where children can learn at their own pace with a calm and supportive canine companion by their side.

For Jasmine's volunteer partner, the experience has become deeply meaningful.

"Being a Story Dog volunteer has been the most rewarding thing I've ever done," she says. "Jasmine is eleven now, so this may well be our last year, but we'll keep doing it for as long as we can." When Maree saw the completed sculpture, she laughed and said, "Thanks for my Story Dog. Now I'm going to have to find some books about whales."

The work of Jasmine the Story Dog and Maree, is a reminder that sometimes the smallest moments, a child, a dog and a book can create a lifetime of possibilities.

Open Studios 2026

The Gallery isn't a studio... But we think Open Studios visitors should visit anyway!

Open Studios is one of the most anticipated events on the Sunshine Coast arts calendar. Open Studios Sunshine Coast is run by Arts Connect Inc., a membership-driven, not-for-profit organisation. The event relies entirely on a dedicated team of volunteers, local coordinators, and participating artists, and is supported by Sunshine Coast Council grants and business sponsorships. Open Studios offers a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the local art scene and meet the artists in their own creative spaces. Across the region, Open Studios Sunshine Coast provides a chance to connect directly with makers, discover how work is created, and support the artistic community that gives the Coast so much of its creative identity.

Seaview Artists Gallery isn't actually a studio there are no resident artists living behind easels, no kiln firing in the corner, and no paint-splattered floors leading into mysterious workrooms. However; what we can offer is something rather special. Over the ten days of Open Studios, the gallery becomes a vibrant meeting point where visitors can encounter many artists in one place. Visitors can drop into the gallery and meet a wide selection of participating artists under one roof without the need for maps, or wondering if you’ve accidentally driven past a hidden driveway.

The Open Studios Sunshine Coast experience invites visitors to embark on a self-guided journey through the region’s creative landscape. It’s a celebration of discovery, stepping into working studios and watching artists in action. It’s an opportunity to see the full breadth of the region’s artistic expression and gain a deeper appreciation of the creative processes behind it all.

Visitors to Seaview can expect to encounter ceramics, painting, mixed media sculpture, bronze and wood sculpture, photography, textiles, jewellery and more. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a first-time art lover, it’s an open invitation to explore, connect and be inspired. So, as you plan your Open Studios adventure, travelling through hinterland and coastline in search of artistic discovery, make sure the gallery is on your list. Come along and experience Seaview Artists Gallery, a vibrant collective of 15 artists showcasing an ever-changing mix of creativity. This is a great stop for visitors wanting variety and fresh creative energy.

Visit Seaview Artists Gallery during Open Studios Sunshine Coast 2026 as part of the Coastal Caloundra trail.

📍 Location: Moffat Beach

🎨 Trail: Coastal Caloundra trail

📅 Studio open: 9.30 am -4.30pm, Fri 17 July, Sat 18 July, Sun 19 July, Mon 20 July, Tue 21 July, Wed 22 July, Thu 23 July, Fri 24 July, Sat 25 July and Sun 26 July

Feature Artist

For Seaview Artist Karol Oakley, painting is about connection, connection to place, light, landscape and the ever-changing beauty of the natural world.

A Master Pastellist with the Pastel Society of Australia, Karol has spent more than 38 years working with pastels, a medium she describes as both her first choice and her addiction. Throughout her career she has explored a wide variety of subjects, but it is the landscape, particularly water and coastal environments, that continues to draw her back time and again.

"My mission is simple, to paint nature's everyday landscape in an expressive and colourful way. In that simplicity is the adventure of exploring new places, meeting people and cultures, experiencing endangered environments and recording this living history for future generations."

Whether standing beside a creek, overlooking a windswept beach or capturing reflections on water, Karol prefers to paint directly from life whenever possible. Working outdoors allows her to respond to the changing light, colours and atmosphere that make each location unique. She also works in oils and mixed media, but pastel remains at the heart of her artistic practice.

Karol is constantly observing the world around her, searching for patterns, textures and colour combinations that others might overlook. While many of her paintings focus on land and seascapes, her curiosity extends to still life subjects, flowers and animal portraits, each approached with the same attention to light and colour.

One of the qualities that has shaped Karol's long career is her belief that there is always more to learn. Alongside her own painting practice, she has dedicated many years to teaching and encouraging other artists. She regularly conducts workshops, demonstrations and painting tours throughout Australia and overseas, sharing both her technical knowledge and enthusiasm for the pastel medium.

Those who meet Karol quickly discover her willingness to support fellow artists on their own creative journeys. Her teaching reflects the same approach she brings to her artwork, one of curiosity, exploration and gentleness.

Most of all, Karol loves being outdoors. Discovering new places, revisiting favourite locations and translating her response to nature onto paper remain central to her work. Her paintings invite viewers to pause, appreciate the beauty of familiar landscapes and see the world through an artist's eyes.

Visitors to Seaview Artists Gallery can enjoy a selection of Karol's work and experience her colourful interpretation of the natural environment, from tranquil waterways to dramatic coastal scenes. Through her art, she reminds us that extraordinary beauty is often found in the everyday moments of the landscapes around us.

Additionally, Karol Oakley is currently exhibiting as part of the Samford Art Trails for the first three weekends of June. Dayboro Showgrounds Pavilion. 10am - 3 pm Saturdays and Sundays.

New to the Gallery

Enjoy the unique experience of meeting the working artists who attend the gallery daily

—always welcoming, knowledgeable, and happy to share insights into their creative process.

OPEN 7 DAYS
9.30am - 4.30pm