McGregor Retreats Summer Art Retreat 2018 | Page 2

Welcome
2018 will see the 50th McGregor Summer School become
the longest running residential performing, visual and
creative arts retreat in Australia. It is fitting, as this important
milestone is reached, to reflect on the proud history of the
McGregor Schools.
Named after Dr Alex McGregor, who led the community-
based movement during the 1960s to bring a higher
education presence to the Darling Downs, the first McGregor
School was held in January 1969. It involved the teaching
of painting to 43 students at the then newly established
Queensland Institute of Technology (Darling Downs). The
program reflected the aspirations of the young institution to
both excel in community service and to broaden its areas of
impact beyond its foundations in technology education.
The event soon grew to become an essential mainstay on
the institution’s cultural calendar and an iconic example
of community education at its finest. Now running three
times per year - with a Winter School having now operated
annually for 30 years and a Spring School for five - the
Schools attract tutors of national and international
significance and are always an “event” in the fullest
sense of the term.
Past participants have made reference to the “special
chemistry” that occurs between student and tutor; a creative
bond from which exciting art is created.
I look forward to welcoming you to our 50th McGregor
Summer School in January 2018 - for your special
‘art retreat’ experience.
Professor Janet Verbyla
Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor