Latest news with #Thoms
Perth Now
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
WA artists to open studio doors for peek inside workspaces
The sixth annual Peel Open Studios is inspiring artists across the Peel region to open their studio doors to the public. Presented by the City of Mandurah and supported by the Shire of Murray, more than 70 local artists from Serpentine to Waroona will take part in the event from May 3 to 11 showcasing a behind-the-scenes look at their workspaces. Visitors will have an opportunity to look into the artistic processes of different mediums including painting, ceramics, printmaking, textiles, sculpture and much more. Your local paper, whenever you want it. Local artists Barb Thoms, Robyn Lowry and Denise Fisher are teaming up for the fourth year in a row to exhibit their art together in Thoms Dudley Park studio. The trio of longtime friends said they began exhibiting together due to their shared love for nature and environment-style pieces across different genres and mediums. Thoms said it made sense to share their work together as they complemented one another so well. 'Not only do we work so well together but it gives visitors the opportunity to see three accomplished artists all in the same space,' she said. Barb Thoms has been painting Mandurah on location for more than 20 years. Credit: Supplied In 2024, Peel Open Studios attracted more than 4000 visitors across 36 locations. Mandurah mayor Caroline Knight said the event was all about celebrating and supporting Peel's strong, talented and engaged artistic community who make important contributions to the city of Mandurah and the wider region. 'It's also a great opportunity for local artists to promote their art, sell their work and connect with the community,' she said. Thoms agreed and added it's great for artists to talk about their work and brings a whole other meaning to the regular selling space. 'If your work is just hanging on a gallery wall, without that dialogue it doesn't have the same story,' she said. 'I find people like to buy more when there's a story associated with the work, they enjoy having a conversational piece.' Thoms said the event was a really supportive and non-competitive environment for local artists, particularly for those who may not be ready to exhibit on their own. Robyn Lowry's colourful bird and floral paintings will be on display. Credit: Supplied 'Knowing that it comes up in May every year really inspires and motivates you to create work in preparation for the event,' she said. 'It's very well run and something I look at as a safe space of infrastructure to participate in.' Alongside the open studios, the Alcoa Mandurah Art Gallery at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre is hosting an exhibition until May 11 featuring a collection of artworks by artists participating in the Peel Open Studios event.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rock Island mayoral candidates share their views before Tuesday election
Voters will be headed to the polls Tuesday, when – among other city races – the position for Rock Island mayor is up for grabs. Both current Mayor Mike Thoms and military veteran Ashley Harris are vocal about their priorities if elected. Gavin Waidelich of Our Quad Cities News spoke with them for Your Local Election Headquarters. Incumbent Mayor Thoms is reaching the end of his second term and looks to serve a third. He says his experience managing the city gives him an advantage, and he can 'hit the ground running and be productive, day one.' His opponent, Ashley Harris, doesn't have that experience, but says his time serving the community counts just as much: 'I've been a community-minded person. I've volunteered a numerous amount of times, and I feel those interpersonal people qualities make me qualified to be mayor,' Harris said. Both candidates hope to make Rock Island a beacon to those looking for a new home. Thoms says, in addition to the developments being made at the Milan Bottoms and downtown, housing is is needed to attract more people to the city. 'There's several large projects I want to follow through with, along with homes,' he told Our Quad Cities News. 'You know we need some more affordable homes and need to concentrate on that.' Additionally, money has been set aside to renovate existing homes, Thoms said. But Harris says social services are the key to bringing people in. 'Social infrastructure' is important, eh told Our Quad Cities News. He says the city should be 'looking at every sector that makes a city attractive, because we want Rock Island to be a city of choice.' Both say they want to address the quality of roads in the city. The Consolidated Municipal Election will be held Tuesday, April 1. For more information, visit here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rock Island proposes compromise for Milan Bottoms development
Mayor Mike Thoms held a news conference Friday about a controversial proposed development near the Milan Bottoms wetlands area. The city has created a task force to help maintain conservation for the site. Meanwhile, the city wants to expand an already-existing TIF – Tax Increment Financing – district to include more property where the dispensary and truck stop are proposed. 'The mayor was pretty explicit in saying that we're going to proceed with this development, but at the same time, also proceed with trying to create a permanent conservation easement on the wetland behind the site,' said Jon Duyvejonck, a member of the Sierra Club Eagle View Group. 'So we kind of agree to disagree. So there are still environmental steps to be taken to approve this project.' The Rock Island City Council will vote to approve the easement on Monday. One part of the compromise would be maintain a tree line between the development and the wetlands to help block some of the light and noise. 'We must strive to balance the city's need for economic development with the environment, environmental conservation, which I believe can be hand-in-hand,' said Thoms. 'The city is committed to economic development while protecting our natural resources.' Thoms also announced that a groundbreaking for the project is planned for next month. 'I think it's kind of premature to do that, but then again, a lot of the groundbreakings I've been a part of are just kind of a formal thing,' said Duyvejonck. Duyvejonck says some activists plan to attend Monday's city council meeting to discuss holding off on plans for the TIF to make time for more environmental surveys. What is a TIF district? A TIF is a tool municipalities can use to spur economic development in certain areas by designating them as eligible to use an increase in property tax revenue generated by new development within those areas to fund projects and improvements. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rock Island mayor conducts State of the City address
Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms gave his annual State of the City address at Bally's Quad Cities Casino & Hotel, projecting the city's progress last year and wants for the new year. Thoms is looking for new businesses to help increase city revenue. 'New buildings, expanding businesses is probably the number one area,' said Thoms. 'We need to expand our tax base, we can't keep relying on the same people paying more taxes to cover the expenses. So our number one goal is going to be how can we add new businesses.' The city is also looking at building software that will streamline interactions between the city and residents, such as paying bills, applying for city permits and accessing city data. 'It's going to be a lot more user friendly and save a lot of time and effort at city hall,' said Thoms. Thoms also reported that violent crime was down 9%, even with a reduction in police staff. Thoms says the need for officers is still high however, as calls increased over 7%. 'At this point we'd take ten, 11 officers right today if we had them,' said Thoms. Another takeaway from the year is better planning for large scale projects. 'You know it's frustrating, maybe some things to learn is maybe handle the construction a little different as far as timing, but yet we're are very proud of what's going to be the end result,' said Thoms. Thoms is optimistic of the future of the city, but says the city can only thrive with the help of local business. 'People that have been here, are still here, reinvest in your business,' said Thoms. 'Reinvest in opportunities in the city of Rock Island. Whether it be building a new building, whether it be buying a house. Whatever it is, the theme is reinvest, be involved in the city of Rock Island.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
