Creative Enterprise student Jenny Gilbertson has a plumb job waiting when she returns from a semester of study at New Mexico State University. She'll be a Community Arts Officer, based at Childers but working at both Childers and Bundaberg galleries.

Jenny with one of her beloved cacti, in the Sonoran desert outside Tucson Arizona

Jenny already has a few projects 'simmering' with a view to exchanges between artists and galleries in New Mexico and Bundaberg. Her new role will include visits with creative groups and individuals throughout the Wide Bay region.

The New Mexico overseas experience organised with help from CQUniversity's International Office helped to feed Jenny's 'desert longings'.

"I love cacti! I was able to exhibit some of my artwork in two locations in New Mexico (NMSU Music Building, and Josefina's Old Gate Café, Mesilla). I visited the studios of artists in Las Cruces New Mexico and Tucson Arizona, and was invited to assist with a traditional pottery firing in Pojoaque Poeh Cultural Centre, just north of Santa Fe. I met lots of interesting people, many of whom I hope to see again one day."

Educational aspects of the trip included participation in a Preservation Conservation - Collections Care course, which included many field trips.

Jenny at the Grand Canyon

"Highlights included spending time in a different cultural environment, making creative connections which I hope will produce benefits for regional artists and facilitate exchanges between artists in Las Cruces and Bundaberg in the years to come, access to wonderful campus facilities, and numerous lectures and workshops by visiting artists and academics featured throughout the semester, all free for students," Jenny said.

"Trip highlights included travel throughout the southwest (Organ and Sacramento mountains; Carlsbad Caverns; White Sands; Roswell Art museums; Santa Fe; Monument Valley; Grand Canyon; Sonoran desert harvesting bush foods; Tombstone Arizona (annual festival); the historical township of Mesilla just next to Las Cruces; Dia de los Muertos festivals in Mesilla and El Paso; seeing the ‘Fall' leaves change colour; piñata wrangling; prickly pear margaritas; and fantastic field trips with my preservation conservation class."

Jenny explores Monument Valley in ArizonaJennifer has had a diverse study and career pathway. She completed studies in Visual Art (Painting major, with lots of minors: Art Certificate & Diplma of Visual Art) immediately after leaving school.

She then worked in a range of jobs, including teaching Art and Design at TAFE NSW and operating as a tour guide for walking tours on Fraser Island's 'Great Walk'.

"I was a Course Information Officer at Sydney Institute of Technology and Client Services Officer at North Coast Institute of TAFE NSW (both of which involved producing brochures about TAFE courses, attending careers markets and general promotions and media liaison)," she said.

"I've continued to produce and exhibit my artwork ever since graduating from Canberra School of Art, ANU in 1983. I'm thrilled to be about to start a fantastic job in the arts which is close to my home."

Jennifer said she has always liked to draw but had planned a career in the sciences.

"After changing high schools I suddenly decided to switch to studying Art at TAFE instead. Now I combine my love of art with my interest in the natural sciences. I can't imagine not wanting to create something ... it's just something I do!

"Drawing is one of my favourite mediums (I love the feel of pencil on paper) but I also really enjoy working with clay and more recently, stone. I still love working with oil paint on canvas as well."

Jennifer is looking forward to spending more time with her husband, her parents and her 'chookies' once she settles in back home.