Over two and a half days, starting with art and photography workshops and a wonderful Welcome to Country, moving through sunrise yoga to ten varied and engaging speakers and ending with an expansive day of house tours – the RAA has well and truly made an impression on Queensland. And who could forget the food!

After insightful collage and photography workshops, attendees gathered on the ridge at Tinbeerwah in the Noosa Hinterland to witness a sunset Welcome to Country and traditional fire lighting by Robby Peters and Ezekiel Davis from the Gubbi Gubbi dance group. The moment the flames emerged it was clear Light was going to be special, social and significant. 

Drinks by the fire with friends and new faces, followed by dinner in the beautiful courtyard of the near-by Doonan rounded out day 1.

It was that fire, still smouldering, that greeted those who started Friday with sunrise yoga in the Art Room. The sun rising over Noosa on the horizon, filling the room with yellow light was a pretty special way to start the day. And then there was breakfast and coffee, yum.

Gradually the seminar guests started arriving, gathering round the smouldering fire and coffee cart with equal enthusiasm for a day full of inspiration in the Art Room which is soon to be Lindy and Steve’s new home.

Coined as the “Best house warming ever!” speakers crossed boundaries of art, design architecture and borders both traditional to Country and International. So much to absorb and be inspired by, interspersed with breaks for delicious locally produced food and teas, all with the stunning backdrop of the Noosa skyline behind. All of the talks will be encapsulated in Peter Skinner’s forthcoming review, but needless to say the day shone a spotlight on all things architecture-related on the Sunshine Coast and beyond.

By the end of the day everyone was ready to enjoy a drink by the revived fire and gasp at the extraordinary grazing table provided on the studio deck. “And that’s not even dinner!” Marcus exclaimed. And he was right, Sally was in the kitchen preparing the exquisite hot canapes which followed. The evening entertainment was provided by Gosti, a trio of amazing musicians who not only made their own music but their instruments too, who serenaded us long into the night.

And those able to stay for day 3 were treated to a bus tour of iconic and contemporary architecture, exemplars of light in architecture, designed by by speakers Kelly Martin, John Mainwaring and Bark Architects plus a selection of homes by Gabriel Poole.

Thank you to the many many people who came together to conceive and deliver such a wonderful experience, especially Lindy and Steve of Bark who generously opened their studio and art room to us, as well as curating the program. Thank you also to our tech members and event partner Kennedys for their expert technical advice and great company. The full list of collaborators is on our Instagram posts for anyone wishing to stay in touch. 

If you didn’t / couldn’t make it, know that you were missed and we hope you can join us at our next event in October in Coolendel which promises to be quite different, but just as special as Light.

Want to join the RAA for our next event? Perhaps become a member of the RAA or know someone who would? Spread the word and reach out via this website.