Meet the makers at the Handmade Art Markets
Discover the Whitsundays Arts Festival Handmade Art Markets on the Airlie Beach Foreshore.
The Whitsundays Arts Festival is delighted to host the ever-popular Handmade Art Markets in Fairy Tree Park on the Airlie Beach Foreshore on Sunday 25 September from 8am to 4pm.
Held annually as part of the Whitsundays Arts Festival, the Handmade Art Markets are set in the splendid festival site, this year adorned with three amazing art installations including soaring stingrays, the old man in the tree who comes alive at sunset, and memory boards dangling amidst the trees.
You will discover over 50 newcomers and previous festival favourite artesian stalls. Meet some of Australia’s most talented artists, designers and makers and explore a wide selection of homewares, artwork, goods, and gifts on the water’s edge at the centre of Airlie Beach while enjoying dynamic interactive multicultural performances, art workshops for kids, Indigenous storytelling and more.
This year is bigger and more diverse than ever. Artisans sharing their handmade wares are travelling from Ballina NSW, the Gold Coast, Mackay, and Townsville, in addition to our local regional artisans. There will be many demonstrations, interactive elements, and you can meet the designers, makers and artists who will be on the Airlie Beach Foreshore.
Some of this year’s new stall holders include Townsville milliner Ugo Kennedy who will be there with his bespoke hats inspired by old traditions in a modern age. He will be creating unique pieces on site with soul and character for people that are as unique as the hats themselves.
Among the 50+ stalls will be students from the Whitsunday Christian College displaying their works ranging from miniature landscape paintings to pottery, and textile and fibre artist Tracey Robb from Mackay presenting her artworks as well as screen printed and crocheted clothing and accessories.
Other artists include Blackbutt resident Rebecca Wild who creates one of a kind artisan jewellery and homewares from vintage cutlery, tin, and op shop finds. Festival favourite Positive Creations Glass Art returns with Wombat Forest Wild Weaving, offering attendees the opportunity to come and try out weaving techniques incorporating glass in their drop-in workshops.
Presenting their locally produced soap products using only the highest quality ingredients in all of their handcrafted plastic free and zero waste products, ranging from shampoo and conditioner bars to soaps and other bath products, is Bubble Soap Co, as well as Gatinha Beachwear from Byron Bay who create each unique towel in equal parts light, absorbent, and resistant. An accessory that is easy to transport, practical and uncomplicated, influenced by vibrant colours, culture and exotic beaches the brand’s collection of handmade towels feature exclusive prints that will look the part on the Whitsunday’s beaches.
Or visit Wailwan/Wiradjuri contemporary Aboriginal artist, educator and therapist Donna Hensen, whose award-winning artworks are inspired by nature and capture the stories they tell in vibrant colours.
Don’t miss the Handmade Art Markets in the most beautiful setting on the Airlie Beach foreshore. Meet talented creators, find your newest piece for your home, a gift for a loved one or just a treat for yourself when more than 50 stallholders will be showcasing their talents in a carefully curated and diverse mix of products including clothing, baked goods, artworks, homewares, jewellery, skin care, gourmet food and paperwares.
