Wearing just two of her many hats, creative milliner Anne Colquitt has busy working on both the Narooma Oyster Festival and the River of Art Festival.
With the Oyster Festival set to sizzle this weekend, Anne said “Visitors have every reason to head back here later in May for another taste of our delicious regional delights.”
“In and around Narooma, the 2017 River of Art Festival will serve a smorgasbord of exciting visual arts, music and performances” said Sue Barford, Festival Chair.
On Saturday 27 May, an eclectic and talented lineup of buskers across all musical genres will be performing at hot spots around Narooma, as part of the Australian National Busking Championships hosted by Narooma Rotary.
Arts lovers can also check out the finalists in the prestigious River of Art 2017 Prize Exhibition, on show at the SoArt Gallery in Narooma from 18-30 May.
Sue Barford said “Art on Parade is always at the heart of River of Art. This is where artists partner with local businesses, cafes and shopfronts to present their works for sale.”
In mid-town Narooma, check out Shanna Provost’s mixed media exhibition at the Whale Motor Inn. Drop into an exhibition of diverse mosaic works by artists from the Artful 9 group at Eurobodalla Tiles and Bathrooms, and visit Bound to Earth Café to see Sally Veer’s studio art, textiles and repurposed garments.
Anne Colquitt presents her bespoke millinery creations at Hatsavvy, as well as workshops on how to block a felt shape into a fashionable hat to wear through the cooler winter months.
An astonishing exhibition of textiles and costuming by Sue Barford and Marian Webb will be on display at the Tara Motel. This celebrates their years of experimentation with thread, dye, paint and discarded everyday objects.
Above: Anne Colquitt and Sue Barford
Interested in photography? Then head down to the Narooma Camera Club Exhibition at the Narooma Club to see superb photographs depicting local life and landscapes.
Book soon for other festival workshops and community events in Narooma. There’s Floral Art with Barry Flanagan, a crochet circle at MACS cottage, and the chance to peek inside the Men’s Shed.
Check out the full list of open studios in the region during River of Art for a chance to meet practicing local artists.
The award-winning River of Art Festival delivers inspiring exhibitions and performances all along the South Coast from Durras to Bermagui.
Just south of Narooma in Tilba, Cheryl Davison and Matheiu Lartigau will have their works on display at Neck of the Woods Café, while the Apma Creations Aboriginal Art Gallery will showcase Merryn Apma’s desert inspired paintings.
Heading north to Bodalla, the Artists Nest will be open throughout the festival while Blue Earth’s kitchen garden is part of this year’s Art of Gardening trail. You can also visit the Narooma Woodies in Bodalla, and head to the Downward Dog Café to enjoy live music along with a multi-media exhibition including works by Megan Small and Lois Selby.
Above:River of Art Committee and festival artists outside The Artisans Nest in Bodalla: L to R – Megan Fraser, Janette Dadd, Sue Barford, Jane Frost, Rachel McInnes and Bernie O’Neil.
Bodalla also hosts a hair-larious comedy night - Oh My God, I’ve Been Kidnapped and I Hate What I’m Wearing.
The River of Art Festival will kick off in Bodalla on 19 May together with the launch of Art20 with free performances from the Djaadjawan Dancers, Clive Dorien and Barny Barnbrook.
Three back-to-back South Coast Regional Tourism awards celebrate the festival’s success. In 2016, River of Art attracted 20,000 people to the region and brought more than $3.4 million into the local economy.
For all times and venue details see the program – available online riverofart.com.au.
