Rekindling a Love of Local Art
Wagait Arts Festival has come a long way since its grassroots beginning out the back of Wagait Beach Supermarket in 2014. Now a multi-arts event stretching over a whole weekend, the festival showcases the best of the Cox Peninsula’s creative talent.
Returning after a year’s hiatus, the festival is bigger and better than ever – with an exhibition of diverse work by local artists, live tunes by singer-songwriter Serina Pech, spoken word by Darwin-based wordsmith Parker Black, workshops, a writing circle and more.
Getting into the artsy spirit of things, Wagait Beach’s quarterly craft market is joining in with the festivities, with homemade jams and chutneys, plants, bric-a-brac and arts and crafts by local makers all yours for the taking.
For local artist and longstanding member of the Wagait Arts Group Committee, Aileen Blyth, the community feeling is the best thing about the festival.
“The fact that we have cooperation from all facets of the community, we have support from ferries in bringing people over, the Cox Club in supplying their entertainment, so anyone coming over for our festival also gets to see what Wagait and the Cox Peninsula has to offer.
“It’s a way for locals to get together and really showcase what they’re made of.”
The theme of this year’s festival is ‘Rekindle’ – a particularly resonant concept for many people after the year that was.
“We wanted something positive out of the bushfires and COVID,” Blyth explains.
“A lot of it too this year is rekindling people’s interest. It’s about revival … really trying to drum up more of an art week.”
With so many events to enjoy, the festival is sure to reignite your love of the arts. So hop on that ferry and make the trip over to Wagait Beach to explore the great art on display, and the stunning natural landscapes the area has to offer.
Wagait Arts Festival
WHEN FRI 9 – SUN 11 JUL
AT WAGAIT SHIRE COUNCIL COMMUNITY CENTRE
COST FREE
INFO wagaitartsgroup.com.au
Header: Aileen Blyth, 'Ribbon in Land', 2021, acrylic on canvas, 120x30cm
Thumbnail & Bottom: Aileen Blyth, Untitled, 2020, acrylic on canvas, 75x50cm
