USC student Bridgette Wiechelt is helping to coordinate an event mixing slam poetry, light projections, music and wearable art – and broadening her career horizons at the same time.

The final-year Arts/Science student from Caboolture is in the midst of a two-month public relations internship with Experience Eumundi, the organisation behind the jam-packed Art St Eumundi program.

Art St Eumundi, which runs for three days from this Friday 25 August, will be a highlight of the Horizon Festival, a 10-day celebration of more than 200 events in visual art, film, literature, performance, street art, comedy, music, theatre and new media.

Bridgette, 31, who grew up on the Darling Downs, said she had jumped at the chance to help plan such a major and dynamic event for the Sunshine Coast.

“I’ve volunteered at Woodford Folk Festival and the Planting Festival, so when this opportunity came up at uni, I just thought it would suit me down to the ground,” she said.

“It’s really exciting to be helping coordinate an event like this, which celebrates the full diversity of the arts, with events like slam poetry, busking, light projections, wearable art, film, and even a food showcase.

“Running an event like this involves everything from securing grants and legal permits, through to engaging artists and booking food vendors. It’s great to be building experience in each of those areas.”

Art St Eumundi coordinator and USC academic Dr Nycole Prowse said she was delighted with Bridgette’s work on the placement.

“It offers Bridgette hands-on experience and a multitude of connections in the industry – she’s working with council, creative organisations, and most importantly, the community and grassroots artists,” Dr Prowse said.

“It’s great for her to be putting her theoretical skills from her degree into practice.”

Horizon Festival will take place from Friday 25 August to Sunday 3 September, with Art St Eumundi running from 25-27 August.

— Gen Kennedy