So along with everything else going on in our lives over the past 6 months (kids, school, work, ball, trip away) I have been VERY busy working on another local project…a 2 day festival being held over the October long weekend. Because, you know, life can always do with some more busy!
This is something I am REALLY proud of. There’s a small group of us (Patsy Peacock, Annie Jones, Michael Lynch, Brooke Munro and Julijana Griffiths) in our village who wanted to showcase the amazing talent of local designers, artists and artisans all within the Southern Highlands and so the DnA Festival was born.
The festival showcases the talents of over 20 exhibitors across a range of disciplines: from ceramics to weaving; sculpture to jewellery; furniture to art. But it is (hopefully) more than just an exhibition. With a full schedule of workshops and talks, plus events to bring the celebrations into the evening. We hope it to be a festival of the beautiful. A festival of the unique. A festival of old and new techniques; of contemporary design from traditional methods.
Rob has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to create some really amazing profile films on the exhibitors. People like Natalie Miller who does some amazing weaving:
DnA Exhibitor Natalie Miller from Rob Macdonald on Vimeo.
People like my very talented and beautiful friend Mrs Munro who makes amazing works of art from things found around the farm:
DnA Exhibitor Brooke Munro (Mr & Mrs Munro) from Rob Macdonald on Vimeo.
You can watch all of the films on exhibitors including Michael Yabsley & Dimity Kidson on Vimeo here.
We are really excited to have the amazingly talented Harriet Goodall onboard overseeing the design and visual styling of the festival as well as a huge range of workshops that will be on over the course of the weekend. You can find out all about the workshops that will be on as well as booking tickets online here. My good friend Jools from A Year in my Garden will also be running one so if you love her blog be sure to check it out.
As well as the exhibitors we are THRILLED to have the gorgeous Andre & Nina from Gallery Ecosse curating a collection of work from three local artists: Jasper Knight, Laura Jones & David Ryrie. I KNOW!!!
There will be an event on Saturday night at the pub – some music, some good food, and wonderful local artist Carlos Barrios doing a live painting that will be won on the night (tickets to the raffle can be bought online…will let you know the link as soon as I get it uploaded for just $50 you can have a 1 in 200 chance at winning a $10,000 painting!).
CAN YOU TELL I’M EXCITED? That’s because I am! This has taken A LOT of hard work from a small group of us fueled by nothing but passion, but the result will be something that I know people will love to see. I feel so passionately about this wonderful area that I am lucky enough to call home and all of the amazingly talented people that live in it. If we can showcase their work to people from out of town, if we can put the spotlight on some amazing weaving, ceramics, leather work, furniture, jewellery, sculpture or paintings for a few days then it’s work all the committee meeting hours under the sun!
I’ll be pumping this over the next few months, because I REALLY WANT PEOPLE TO COME! I want to show the world this great place, let you meet these great people and take home a little piece of my home with you!
Burrawang DnA Festival
Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th October 2014
Burrawang School of Arts
Free Entry
Various workshops held throughout the festival
Event at the pub Saturday night
You can follow along on our Facebook page here.
Or Check out the very stylish website Rob created here.
And check out our Instagram feed (@burrawangdnafestival) here.
Be sure to plan your accommodation and weekend down here so you don’t miss out. I’ll be hanging around too – would love to meet and have a chat! So who wants to come? See you there!
so keen!!! but i think we’ll be away already down south. stupid family wedding 🙁
Oh well – hopefully there will be a next year!
Ooh la la! That all sounds marvelous. I’m doing a workshop with Natalie Miller this weekend and now I’m even more excited having seen that video. Xx
Oh wonderful – it will be the best!
Wow it looks fantastic ! I’m interested in the weaving as I am looking for a craft my daughter could do as she gets older (you know, she has Down syndrome) and I want her to have a creative life, so this could be worth a trip! Good on you, I love action people!
Ha! Thanks Jenni 🙂
Omg I just looked at the website, Dimity’s tapestries are to die for !! Gorgeous.
Aren’t they amazing?
OUTSTANDING. This is awesome. Good ON you xxx
Thank you sweets x
Am so looking forward to the whole weekend.
Great Barbara – will be wonderful to have you along!
What an amazing collaboration Beth. It look beautiful.I think I definitely must put that one in the diary and head for the hills. See you there x
Please do…should be a cracker of a weekend (bloody hope so anyway!)
I will be away, but it looks amazing. That painting!
You would lose your shit over Laura Jones’ work. She is something special…the next Margaret Olly…but better! Cause she is Laura!
My brother is great friends with Colin Munro and when we were growing up our families were very close…great to see some images of his work and many other talented people…wish I could make it but am just too far away.
What a wonderful concept Beth!
That’s great Rani! Coli is a special man – we’re lucky to be able to call them good friends now x
Let him know I said hello from Queensland!
Will do – they are OS at the moment in the UK and are still away for a few more weeks. Missing them terribly!
You have some very talented peeps down your way Beth ,I might even come for a visit x
Ooh….looks wonderful…..will have to put it in the diary and start planning….what a great idea Beth…..hope to see you there!
Thanks Annie – hope so!
Festival sounds fab Beth! I saw Laura’s exhibition at Ecosse, and hope to go and see Jasper’s new one ASAP. Natalie and Harriet are amazing.
It’s a great crew indeed x