White Pages Covers Program

Creative Australian Mariam Arcilla inspires Gold Coast community

June 11, 2009

Creativity comes in a surprising range of shapes and sizes in Australia and is often the inspiration behind people becoming involved in their local community. This year, Sensis is celebrating the contribution creative Australians, such as Mermaid Waters resident Mariam Arcilla, have made to their communities through the arts by featuring them on the cover of the 2009/10 White Pages^® directories. 

 Mariam was thrilled to learn she would appear on the cover of the Gold Coast directory after being nominated by members of the local community to represent the entire region as the epitome of this year’s theme – Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities.

 Mariam is the founder of tinygold, a not-for-profit artist-run initiative that encourages members of the community to interact with local artists. Mariam works tirelessly with emerging artists, assisting to exhibit their works and raise the profile of the local arts community.

 Mariam also co-established 19 KAREN, a contemporary art space in Mermaid Beach providing local artists with ongoing exhibition opportunities. Art events are held monthly featuring works from local to nationally renowned creative Australians.

 “19 KAREN has been a great asset for the entire community. Local artists are given the opportunity to regularly exhibit their works which helps them to sustain and promote their own arts practice. It also enables Gold Coast residents to share a cultural experience and appreciate uniquely Australian works of the highest standard,” Mariam said.

 Mariam is also a practicing artist and writer who often contributes her time and efforts in community arts events and forums. Mariam is very active in promoting the role of galleries and art spaces as invaluable assets to developing arts programs in communities throughout Queensland.

 Group Manager, White Pages^®, Jane Blackley, said the theme Creative Australians: Inspiring our Communities provided Sensis with a great opportunity to recognise Australians who are helping to build stronger community relationships through their advocacy of the arts.

 “Right across the country, there are people like Mariam making amazing contributions to their communities through the arts so this year we thought we would put the spotlight on them by featuring them on the cover of the White Pages^® directories.”

 “Whether it’s performing, teaching, hosting exhibitions, raising money or administering arts programs, this year’s cover subjects are all dedicated to establishing ways for local people to become involved in the arts and to share and develop their creativity.”

 “Mariam is a fine example of a creative Australian who, through a love of the arts, is helping to inspire others and foster art and culture in the local community,” Ms Blackley said. 

 Mariam replaces Michael and Alla Ward on the cover of the Gold Coast directory, who featured last year as part of the ‘Celebrating Australian Flavour’ theme.

 With the 2009/10 White Pages^® directory commencing distribution on Saturday 13 June 2009, Ms Blackley encouraged residents and businesses to recycle their old directories.

 “In most areas, Yellow Pages^® and White Pages^® directories can be recycled as part of normal kerbside recycling services, but if people are unsure they can log onto www.recyclingnearyou.com.au to find out about recycling services available in their local area,” she said.