PENOLA venues are expected to be alive and buzzing as the countdown to the Penola Coonwarra Arts Festival begins.
More than 40 venues will bring life to the town with workshops, exhibitions, competitions, comedy and much more.
In a first for the festival, Penola’s brand new town square will be the gateway to the event with visitors invited to meander to Penola’s historical heart of Petticoat Lane.
Petticoat Lane will be re-imagined as the contemporary cultural hub of the arts festival where an exciting line up of outdoor exhibitions, workshops, food and wine will be on offer.
“We are thrilled to offer the headline children’s performance free of charge this year, along with many of the kids workshops and events being held off Petticoat Lane at the Mary MacKillop School Oval,” committee president Cate Bell said.
The 2019 John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art Prize winner will be announced on Thursday May 16 alongside the local art and the design prize winners.
Co-Opera will make its return this year to perform the popular ‘Don Giovanni’.
This year celebrates Co-Opera and the Penola community’s 25-year relationship.
Tickets for Co-Opera are priced at $60 and also include a 25th anniversary commemorative glass filled with local sparkling wine.
Guests are asked to come dressed with a ‘touch of glam’.
“We invite everyone to come and experience what promises to be one of the best festivals yet and enjoy the quaint streets, buskers, wineries, galleries, gardens, food and wine of Penola and Coonawarra over this exciting weekend,” Ms Bell said.
A full program of the weekend’s events is available at www.artsfestival.com.au with many ticketed events also available.