Opening Night
Come along to the Formal Opening of Visual Arts in the Valley in the Kangaroo Valley Hall at 6.30pm on Friday. We are pleased to announce that renowned Australian journalist and broadcaster, Geraldine Doogue, will be officiating at the Opening. She will be announcing the winners of this year’s Salon of Local Artists prizes, together with the guest judge and curator, Boe-Lin Bastian, the Curator at Bundanon. Enjoy a glass of wine while viewing the Salon and Invited Gallery and take the chance to purchase early in the weekend.
Salon of Local Artists Prize and Exhibition
The Salon of Local Artists will be a major feature of the festival with the finalists’ artworks hung in the Kangaroo Valley Hall from 10am to 4.30 pm on Saturday and Sunday and 10am to 2pm on Monday. All finalists’ artworks will be available for sale. Have your say and put in a vote for the People’s Prize which will be announced at midday on Monday!
Invited Gallery and Curator “walk and talks”
Australian Galleries will be opening a Satellite Gallery in the Kangaroo Valley Hall, showcasing a selection of Australian artists for your enjoyment, and perhaps purchase. You may come across works by Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan and Fred Williams, as well as works by emerging young artists. The gallery will be open from 10am to 4.30 pm on Saturday and Sunday and 10am to 2pm on Monday. The Curator, Rex Irwin will be offering ‘walk and talks’ at 2pm on Saturday and 11am on Sunday.
Installation Art
Four Kangaroo Valley and South Coast artists will be collaborating to present a collective work at and around the Pony Club. The installation will be open the same hours as the Kangaroo Valley Hall Galleries so wander down and be prepared to be intrigued and challenged. There will be an interview with the artists at midday on Sunday, so bring along your open mind and your questions!
Kangaroo Valley Art Trail
This year’s Art Trail has been expanded to include several interesting new studio/galleries and new genres, including sculpture, ceramics and traditional shoemaking. A collaboration with ARTSLAB will bring in a number of new artists who have been part of the ARTSLAB residency program. The studios will generally be open Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4.30pm and 10am to 2pm on Monday. Pick up a map at the Kangaroo Valley or Upper River halls, explore the depth of artistic talent in the valley and maybe take home a new treasure.
“2 Hours – 2 Artworks” Workshop with Kerrie Leishman
Well known local artist, Kerrie Leishman will be offering this workshop from 9 to 11 am on Sunday in her studio in Upper River at a cost of $40. The first hour will be spent making a charcoal drawing inspired from the bush, and the second making an abstract mixed media artwork, using oil pastels to make rubbings with natural materials and then applying watercolour etc. All materials will be provided. No talent required – just have fun exploring. Limited spaces are available so if you’re interested go to https://www.artsinthevalley.net.au/kerrieleishmanworkshop to get booking details.
Film Screening
Saturday evening at the Upper River Hall will be the setting for a screening of ‘The King Sun: John Olsen a Portrait at 85’. and a discussion by the local filmmaker, Tony Williams. The documentary follows the progress of John Olsen’s painting of his last big mural based on the sun. There will also be a number of signed, fine art reproductions of Olsen’s work available for sale in the evening. Join us for supper and a celebration of the life and work of this Australian icon. Tickets can be purchased at https://events.humanitix.com/vaitv2024_film-night_john-olsen
3 Arts of a Kind
This is a festival innovation. 3 local artists from different genres have been given the theme of “Kangaroo Valley – its natural and man-made architecture” for the creation of an artwork. They will begin their work prior to the festival but will complete it together at The Hive over a few hours from 11 am on Saturday. Watch and hear about the creative process and maybe get involved!
Please be in touch at
visualarts@artsinthevalley.net.au if you have any queries.
Watch this space! Check out the Arts in the Valley website https://www.artsinthevalley.net.au/visualarts, or our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ArtsInTheValley for the full program of exciting festival events.
Gudula Dornseifer
Visual Arts Director
Helen Lunn
Assistant Visual Arts Director
