Today we’re showing our support for the Gold Coast Volunteer Awards. Held annually, the Volunteer Awards Night acknowledges the valuable contributions made by those who selflessly devote their time and resources to make a positive difference in our Gold Coast community.
Here at HOTA, our Ambassadors are a huge part of what we do. You’ll spot them around the precinct, always with a smile on their faces, sharing their passion for the arts and creating lasting memories for our visitors.
We sat down with a few of our Ambassadors to chat about why the arts are so important to them and what they love about volunteering at HOTA.
Ambassador Ida
What’s your favourite thing about being a HOTA Ambassador?
Being a HOTA Ambassador gives me a sense of peace and harmony being amid other like-minded people including Ambassadors, HOTA staff members and others out back in the offices that we don't see but are appreciated, and the creators of the arts, music, culture, foods, plays, movies etc, can only lift you up not down.
Why are the arts important to you?
I believe that everything I do in life is being artistically channelled through me by means of connecting to art, music, and culture in an unexplainable way.
I just remembered another reason why HOTA is amazing, and it had to do with a patron who had spent a few hours at the gallery and was leaving, so I asked how everything was and she replied with, ‘My love tank is full!’ And I said I’m sorry what did you say? and she repeated it with more gestures towards her body and mind saying it louder so everyone could hear. And I thought wow that’s a great way to describe the experience at HOTA.
Is there something coming up at HOTA that you’re looking forward to?
Yes, the Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street exhibition.
Ambassador Kathy
What’s your favourite thing about being a HOTA Ambassador?
My favourite part of being a HOTA Ambassador is working with people. A lot of the Visitor Services team and the other Ambassadors are vibrant young people, they keep me ‘young thinking’.
Why are the arts important to you?
HOTA Gallery is excellent at showing the many forms and directions that art can take. For many people, they’re an escape from a 'hum-drum' life.
It’s important for Gold Coast visitors to realise and experience that the Gold Coast is more than the beach, surfing, and theme parks!
Is there something coming up at HOTA that you’re looking forward to?
I don’t look too far in advance about what’s coming up, but I like exploring and experiencing new exhibitions with our visitors.
If I think about the past few years, my number one would be Solid Gold: Artists From Paradise, where we saw such diversity of materials and perspectives. Next would be the Children’s Gallery, especially the upside-down world opening exhibition and now artist Victoria Reichelt’s imaginative library, Colour Your Imagination - Just add books. I also love seeing ENERGIES each year.
Ambassador Ken
What’s your favourite thing about being a HOTA Ambassador?
I enjoy interacting with our patrons and working with people who love art in all forms, as much as I do. I also enjoy working with people who love art in all its forms as I do.
Why are the arts important to you?
I come from a family who’ve always been interested and involved in art.
Is there something coming up at HOTA that you’re looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to the latest exhibition, Sneakers Unboxed. And learning about it!
Ambassador Joan
What’s your favourite thing about being a HOTA Ambassador?
To name just one is difficult, but I love that each time I arrive for a shift, I’m greeted by smiles and it sets a positive vibe for the shift ahead.
Why are the arts important to you?
The arts bring joy, entertainment, create discussion, and can open our minds to different ideas.
Is there something coming up at HOTA that you’re looking forward to?
I’m excited about the Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street exhibition.
Ambassador Danielle
What’s your favourite thing about being a HOTA Ambassador?
I love that I don’t need to be super knowledgeable about art to work at HOTA, they have a great team to educate us and fill in our knowledge gaps.
Why are the arts important to you?
Art is storytelling and we all have a story to tell. Whether it's through a painting or a photograph hanging on the wall. It’s all storytelling, it just comes in different colours, shapes, and sizes.
We’re a lot like art. We get moulded, we get shaped, we get sanded back to get rid of the rough edges. We’re all unique, one-of-a-kind works of art.
Is there something coming up at HOTA that you looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to catching up with the other Ambassadors at the Christmas party (and of course the food by our wonderful Culinary Arts team here at HOTA). I can’t wait to explore the Sneakers Unboxed exhibition and to see The Nutcracker and Shen Yun.
Ambassador Di
What’s your favourite thing about being a HOTA Ambassador?
A sense of contributing to my community, particularly the arts sector, on the Gold Coast.
Why are the arts important to you?
The arts feed my soul - theatre, dance, visual arts, music. How bleak life would be without the arts!
Is there something coming up at HOTA that you’re looking forward to?
I’m excited to attend a play reading of an original work Nov 26. What a great grassroots opportunity for the playwright.
#Interested in becoming a HOTA Ambassador?
We’re always on the lookout for dedicated, enthusiastic HOTA Ambassadors with a passion for art and the Gold Coast, to join our friendly and creative team.
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