WAF What’s On!
Whitsunday Arts Festival Exhibition
17 - 19th September 2021
Shop 5 /273 Main Street, Airlie Beach
Wearable Arts Exhibition Opening
Saturday 3rd October 3.30pm Airlie Beach Foreshore
The Wearable Arts Exhibition is one of the major features at the Whitsundays Arts Festival. Find this wonderful collection of wearable arts from local artists in one of the big marquees at the festival. Curating the exhibition are Art Coordinators Kirsten Orenshaw and Christine Papadimitriou. These women play an integral role in developing the Wearable Arts in Whitsundays and Townsville regions. The works will be on display throughout the festival.
Live Music - Saturday Night
Saturday 3rd October, 4pm - 10pm Airlie Beach Foreshore
Performing on the main stage, local and national artists including Kate Heart, Marcus Myers, Cigars Fiesta Band and more!
Lantern Parade
Saturday 3rd October 6.15 pm Airlie Beach Foreshore
Lighting up the foreshore, hand-crafted lanterns inspired by artist Lalune Croker. Make your own lantern and be part of the parade. Workshop tickets are available now!
Whitsundays Arts Festival
2020 Program
Artists Markets
Sunday 4th October 9am - 4pm, Airlie Beach Foreshore
Over 30 artists are involved in the Artists Markets. From paintings, sculptures, ceramics to jewellery, drawings, photographs and more… Find fine arts to hand made crafts at the large array of art stores located on the foreshore.
If you would like a sneak peak of the artworks on sale, ensure you are following us on social media.
Art Workshops
Book yourself in for one of the workshops at the festival. On Saturday, artists - Jinni Oupatham, Chris Dalton, Glenda Beverly and Sandra Guy will be delivering workshops in Traditional Japanese dying, photography and painting.
Indigenous Artists Nicky Bidju Pryor, Felicity Chapman and Leanne Odd will be sharing their culture at their mural and weaving workshops. These workshops are suitable for all ages and abilities.
Live Music - Sunday
Sunday 4th October 12.00 pm - 9.00 pm
A big line up for Sunday, kicking it off at midday is a performance by Hybrid, followed by Dylan Hammond, Mick Woodbridge, MT Rated, Jacuzzi Masterpiece and Left of Centre to finish off the evening. Get yourself comfortable and enjoy the FREE live music and wonderful artworks on the foreshore.
Art Workshops
Monday 5th October 10.00 am - 3.00 pm
Join Internationally renowned artist Ron McBurnie for his Black on White; Drawing with Ink workshop. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn drawing skills from such an experienced and recognised artist.
Learn how to draw shadows using a fountain pen and darker inks (browns, blues and black). The workshop will introduce materials, processes and approaches Ron McBurnie uses when working with a fountain pen and black, brown or blue ink on a light coloured paper. The workshop will primarily focus on adapting these techniques to an en plein air drawing or on a still life.
Live Music - Monday
You are in for a treat on Monday! The Mercy College, Mackay and Mackay Pipe Band will be performing at 10.00 am and 12.00 pm
Cabaret Ticketed Event
Monday 5th October, 3.00 pm (off-site)
Joel Bow Productions is proud to present…Backyard Stories starring Kurt Phelan with Andrew Obst!
Backyard Stories will see music theatre and cabaret star Kurt Phelan in a brand new cabaret show created by 2 mates during Rona. One was in lock down in upstate New York and the other was renovating apartments in Airlie Beach.
Ranked in the 50 most influential people in Mackay, Joel Bow is the king of Producing Cabaret shows in north QLD and knows the recipe well.