THE 27th Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival is set to uphold its reputation for showcasing diversity among art mediums and venues, offering something for all ages and tastes.
The jam packed program for the festival, which starts tomorrow evening, is filled with an impressive 14 live performances, five competitions, 10 workshops, more than 20 exhibitions, over 15 children’s events and six literary delights.
With the festival gaining popularity each year, crowds are expected to be in excess of 1500 over the four days.
“Tastes, budgets and quirkiness will all be catered for in a true arts experience,” literary program organiser Rhett McDonald said.
Mr McDonald said the “friends of the festival” had been a highlight in the lead-up to the launch and the initiative now delivered a total of $5000 in support.
The initiative makes the “friends” collectively a “partner of the festival” – the highest sponsorship category.
“This is an amazing achievement and a true example of a community led, run and supported festival,” Mr McDonald said.
Opera, comedy, the diverse “shenanigans” music show, literary brunch and the children’s BMX trick show are shaping up to be among many of the festival highlights.
The festival will also be bought to the Pinchunga Nursing Home with some pop-up performances from various music acts visiting the town.
Tombstone walks, food and wine matching, illustrating, memoir writing, story telling, steel sculptures, Aboriginal art, watercolours, printmaking, ukuleles, tea blending, mosaics, abstract molecules, portraits of Penola women, street art, dancing, henna and a multitude of free and fun activities in the park for children are among events on offer during the festival.
Buses will depart on Saturday from the Prince of Wales carpark at 6.40pm and 7.10pm for the “shenanigans” and comedy events.
Return buses will depart from the Coonawarra Hall at around 12.45am and 1am to Penola.
The festival will kick off tomorrow night at Penola High School with the opening and announcement of The Balnaves Foundation John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art Prize, local art prize and design prize winners.
Visit www.artsfestival.com.au to view the full program and book tickets.
