Charlotte Varcoe
THE Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival will celebrate its 30th year with a number of events already in the pipeline.
To be held in May, registrations for events have officially closed with festival committee president John Mossop saying it will be a jam-packed program.
Looking forward to hosting the four-day event, Mr Mossop said the committee continued to work hard to ensure the festival this year was a raging success.
“This year will also mark the 150th birthday of John Shaw Neilson, marking a major celebration for the town,” Mr Mossop said.
“Therefore the John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art prize will be a major feature.”
With the generous sponsorship of the Balnaves Foundation, the prize money for the art prize has been increased this year to $12,000.
It is open to all emerging and established artists with entries inspired by the poetry of John Shaw Neilson who was born in Penola.
In addition to the art prize, the annual Local Images Art Prize, Penola Coonawarra Design prize, Catherine Martin Literary award and the Buskers and Open Mic competition will also be held.
“We are all looking forward to a big event and although we are still waiting for the outcome of the co-opera event we are hoping it will be a great time,” Mr Mossop said.
Also featured this year will be more street performers from across the region with a major focus on local music.
“To be able to hold the festival each year for this long and to be able to hold a festival overall is a great achievement and the committee has been absolutely fantastic,” Mr Mossop said.
“Members of the community should keep their diaries free for this time of the year and book it in their calendar.
“There will be so many different things to see and do and there will also be a big program for the children so we are encouraging people from across the State to come along.”
The festival will be held from May 12 to 15 with competition entries open now.
