The Darlington Arts Festival is so much More Than Art. Do you love live music, short film, artisan markets, somewhere where the kids can run free, food, wine, sunshine? We've got it! Come and see.
The Darlington Arts Festival is on again this year during the first weekend of November; officially the date is 3-4 November, but really (and don't tell everyone), we actually get started on Friday evening. The Quick Flicks start showing at 6:30 pm and the doors to the historic Darlington Hall, open at around 8:00 pm on Friday 2 November. If you are looking to buy a piece of art, get there early! The talent that exhibits every year just gets better and better. There will be music and entertainment out on the Main Stage for the evening, and the Wine Tent will be in full swing too.
This year not only do we have the old favourites, Junior Art and Youth Art, plus the highly successful Open Arts Exhibition, we have the relatively new favourite, the DAF major art prize which is now known as the Reserve Art Prize (RAP). In its third year the RAP is attracting some serious talent. With a prize of $10,000 that’s no surprise. If you are an artist - get in quick - entries close on 12 October! If you are looking to invest in high end art, this is the place to come.
But we also have a NEW new favourite - Sculptures on the Scarp (think Cottesloe but among the trees - and maybe a little smaller in its first year). Sculptures on the Scarp is going to become an event that gets talked about for all the right reasons! Set on the famous Railway Heritage trail by old Darlington Station, nestled between the Nest Gallery, the old Post Office and the historic Darlington Hall. These artful installations are also available to purchase. See it during the day or later in the evening basked in light. Take a walk through and discover... and don’t forget to look up.
But, that is not all, not even close!
This year we ran a poster competition. So many great entries, but we liked the winning one so much that we want YOU to come and paint it on a wall at the tennis courts. Darlington's first outdoor mural. The poster artist Allie Cormack, will sketch her design 'The Maypole' onto the wall. It will be like a giant paint by numbers where you can come along and paint some bricks. You can be a part of the history of the village.
Quick Flicks is back - but this year run entirely by DAF. There are two categories; general and 15+. Why not pop in to watch some short films, grab some popcorn, sit back and enjoy. Don’t forget to vote for your favourite!
We will also be showing a family friendly movie outdoors, under the stars.
Of course, you know we have a market all weekend? Right. But this year, it will have a clever new layout and a lot more stalls. And we have searched high and low to find some talented artisan stallholders who have lovingly made their wares, right here in WA. You can get all of your Christmas shopping in one place. And when you are worn out with all that shopping, we have the perfect antidote.
We have introduced the Wellness Tent. Buy a ticket (they are really good value) and pop in and out all day to as many sessions as you like. Learn some yoga, or even some broga, a bit of fitness, family health and wellness, some organics, sound healing, meditate... and the list goes on. Feel better after that?
Great; now head over to the wine tent, listen to some cool music, catch new young talent the Silent Deeds or Faradays Cage, or time it to see longstanding favourites Blue Manna while you watch your kids as they run wild on the oval with all of the other kids. When they get tired, pop them in a teacup or on top of a camel. They could be entranced by the roaming CirQuest acrobats or the Helen O' Grady Drama Academy. Don’t blame me though, if they come back looking like a lion or a superhero!
What I want to know is... why we don’t have this festival all year round!? It is so much fun!
Come and see us, we are on all weekend. We have organised extra parking at the local primary school, but why not take the bus from Midland Station. It will drop you off right by the festival.