By Jess Baker
Former Warwick Art Gallery director Audrey Hoffmann understands how visual art can unite a community.
In fact, it was the premise of her proposal for the first ever Jumpers and Jazz in July festival in 2004.
“(At) the time that this streetscape was developed, there was a big argument in the community about deciduous trees versus evergreen trees,” Audrey said.
“The community was divided, the business people were divided, and it caused a bit of unhappiness.
“I thought we could pull this community together by doing something and so I knitted a jumper for a tree in my garden, photographed it, and I presented a case to the council.”
Audrey said she remembered marching in to speak with representatives of the former Warwick Shire Council, throwing a bundle of yarn on to the table, and requesting the council facilitate a public art exhibition on Palmerin Street.
The council agreed.
Audrey could not have known 17 years ago what the festival would one day become, but she said she always knew it had the potential to be big.
“I could see it would grow but I couldn’t be confident because it depended on council support and on community getting involved,” she said.
“It evolved and it’s done really well.”
Audrey retired from the Warwick Art Gallery shortly after the first Jumpers and Jazz in July festival, moving to Brisbane to begin the next chapter of her life.
After 16 years at a Brisbane retirement village, her love for art and community had not dimmed whatsoever.
“I’ve curated exhibitions. I love curatorial work,” Audrey said.
“That’s a spinoff from the gallery management. That love of visual arts … you don’t lose that.”
Audrey said she thought the original intent of Jumpers and Jazz in July had absolutely been achieved, as the festival helped to overcome “polarisation” in the Warwick community.
“It certainly stopped all that angst about deciduous versus evergreens,” she said.
On Sunday 25 July, the final day of this year’s Jumpers and Jazz in July, Audrey said she had noticed a large number of seniors, carers, and “tiny tots” had come together for the festival.
It was exactly this togetherness Audrey had hoped the festival would achieve, all those years ago.
