Arts festival program unveiled

A performance by State Opera South Australia, circus school, creative art classes and a fashion illustration workshop are just some of the many events to be rolled out over the Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival weekend in May.

The Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival kicks off with its Opening night at the Penola High School on Thursday 18 May, announcing the winners of the 2023 John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art Prize, Local Art Prize and Design Prize. The winner of the Catherine Martin Literary Award will be announced on Friday 19 May, an award designed to encourage young writers and further their love of writing in our community.

In an exciting coup for the Festival, State Opera South Australia will be heading to Penola for a one-off performance titled ‘Here’s a How-de-do’, set to recreate zany characters from the famous operettas The Mikado, Pirates of Penzance and H.M.S. Pinafore amongst others.

Under the umbrella of G&S FEST, celebrating the very best of British comedy opera in Adelaide, performers Rosie Hosking and Rod Schultz, accompanied by Penny Cashman, the special Cabaret style performance in Rymill Hall will take the audience on a quirky, madcap and sentimental journey through the songs and times of Gilbert and Sullivan.

Photography, wood and welding, painting and knitted beanies are just some of the exhibition line ups over the weekend.

Workshops range from ‘ways with watercolours’ led by renowned artist Lois Hodge, cross-stitch, mixed media ‘Emu and gum leaves creativity’ through to painting outdoors, fashion illustration and chocolate tempering.

In a Festival first, a ‘House Party’ at Café 43 is set to be reimagined as a temporary live music venue welcoming teens with a DJ and entertainment. Penola High School students will showcase art works in the theme ‘ Hope exists as long as…’, to be held at the Penola Community Library.

Recycle, reuse and repurpose will be a common thread for exhibitions and workshops over the weekend, embracing the ‘Green’ theme of 2023.

The popular Shenanigans at the Coonawarra Hall on Saturday night will see a grass roots music night curated by local Simon Weston and is always a sell-out. On Sunday the Literary Brunch at Ottelia Restaurant will host Melbourne-based cook and author Julia Busutiil Nishimura in conversation with Katie Spain.

On Sunday, families are invited to head ‘Down the Lane’ as Petticoat Lane comes alive with activities for kids along with food, wine and music. Everyone is invited to join in the fun and wear something green, upcycled or recycled to celebrate. Penola street traders are invited to let their imagination go wild and embrace ‘Greenscape Streetscape’ window themes, with prizes on offer.

Entry forms for the 2023 John Shaw Neilson Acquisitive Art Prize and Local Prize, Design Prize, Catherine Martin Literary Award, Kids colouring-in competition, together with ticketed events for 2023 Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival are available at www. artsfestival.com.au