River of Art, the vibrant annual Eurobodalla festival that celebrates the extensive arts scene along the far South Coast, will be kicking off again in September with even greater energy and excitement.
The festival, which COVID couldn’t subdue last year, is now in its 16th year. Running from Friday September 17 through to Sunday September 26, River of Art is a showcase for all forms of art from paintings and sculpture through to performance art, film and poetry. The two very successful COVID-friendly initiatives introduced last year – the mural event, REVIVE, and the online Arts Directory – will again feature this year.
“Last year’s festival was an amazing success. Even though we had to pare it right back because of the COVID challenge, the arts community here was determined that it would go ahead,” festival co-chair, Di Jay said.
“It was a fantastic symbol of the resilience and determination of the people living in our region which had suffered so badly last year from fire and then the impact of the pandemic.
“We are very optimistic that this year’s festival will be even better, back to its pre-COVID shape and with the very creative initiatives we introduced last year like REVIVE and the arts directory.”
With just six months to go before the 2021 Festival kicks off, expressions of interest are now being sought from visual artists, performers and musicians as well as businesses and community groups who want to be part of the festival program.
Information about the proposed festival program and expression of interest forms can be found on the River of Art website, https://www.riverofart.com.au/ . You don’t have to be a fully fledged event to register your interest - venues wishing to host an event or artists seeking a venue can register and we will aim to ‘marry you up’.
Another festival highlight is the $2000 River of Art Prize which will be awarded at the start of the Festival with all entered artworks exhibited in Narooma throughout the festival. Entries for the prize will open 8 weeks prior to the start of the festival.
“River of Art is only successful because of the wonderful community of artists and supporters who get behind us every year,” explained Vicki Lascelles, also co-chair of the festival committee.
“So we’re really keen to get as many expressions of interest as possible. Artists out there, please start working now on your River of Art entry.”
River of Art is one of the region’s most popular festivals. So make sure you mark the dates in your calendar and book a bed if you plan to stay. The festival program will be available about six weeks before the start of the festival. You can stay in touch with festival developments through the website www.riverofart.com.au or follow up on Facebook.
Above: a section of one of the fabulous murals which was painted in Bateman’s Bay last as part of the River of Art’s REVIVE mural event.
