This year's River of Art Festival which was due to be held next month is going virtual.
Faced with the ongoing COVID restrictions across NSW and the ACT, the festival can't proceed with its live events. Instead, it will showcase the Eurobodalla’s vibrant arts community online.
"It’s obvious that we can’t hold face to face events this September as the safety and comfort of our artists, community, visitors and supporters is paramount," said co-chair, Di Jay when she and fellow co-chair, Vicki Lascelles, announced the decision.
"We will run a virtual festival showcasing many of the amazing 120 events we had programmed including painting, textiles, woodwork, sculpture, performance, music, film and poetry, " Di added.
"We're also looking to reschedule some of the cancelled live events early in the new year," Vicki said.
A main feature of the 2021 Virtual River of Art will be the Arts Directory which was introduced at last year's festival. This year, the directory to be launched on 17 September, will feature works of the regions’ artists who were to have opened their studios during the festival.
Above: Julie Mia Holmes was one of many who were set to open their studio. www.juliemiaholmes.com.au
This will enable people to still see the work of these artists by simply visiting the festival's website on www.riverofart.com.au. People will be able to contact them directly to view, purchase or commission works directly.
Determined that COVID won't knock out the optimism and enthusiasm which has been a hallmark of the festival, the dates for next year's festival have already been fixed.
"We are already planning a spectacular River of Art Festival from 16-25 September 2022 featuring lively arts programs as well as the exciting Luminous: Art After Dark event with projections, site illumination and loads of colour, sound and activity at Riverside Park," Di said.
"But for now, River of Art looks forward to welcoming the many visitors to the Eurobodalla who would have joined us for the festival after the ongoing lockdown across NSW and the ACT is at an end," said Vicki.
River of Art will continue presenting and promoting local and visiting artists across all art forms and our 2022 festival will be even bigger and better with fresh new possibilities in a post-Covid world.
For updates on the virtual program, stay in touch via the website and to see what events will be running in the new year. You can also subscribe to our E-news and join River of Art on Instagram or Facebook.
The festival is a community-led initiative run by volunteers with support from local artists and local business. Thanks to the NSW Government through Destination NSW and the Eurobodalla Shire Council for funding and our 2021 sponsors - Southern Phone, Moruya Golf Club, Horizon Bank, Excell Printing and Lincoln Downs Resort.
Shelter in place by Julie Mia Holmes | Printmaker www.juliemiaholmes.com.au
