Escape ARTfest

The Escape ARTfest began its history 14 years ago with the Tabula Rasa Contemporary Arts Festival, organised under the umbrella of the local business chamber. Originally the event was staged during the winter months with the aim of showcasing local artists of all genres.

After the 2004 festival a series of circumstances made it necessary to form a new organisation and rename the festival; hence in 2005 the Escape ARTfest was born - a new name, a fresh new logo and a change of season meant that the festival followed in the footsteps of its predecessor, with renewed focus and energy.

An enlivened program followed over the next few years with the introduction of several key festival components - a comprehensive youth program which included exhibitions, workshops, prizes and other opportunities - a partnership with the MUD Music Council - and the introduction of Kingstudio as the new home of Sculpture in the Forest.

In 2009 Cupitt's Vineyard Restaurant began the popular Chefs @ ARTfest, now a much anticipated event featuring top chefs and a long table lunch.

In 2010, after the sale of the Kingstudio property, a new home was needed for the Sculpture event. Cupitt's Winery offered their gorgeous location and RIPE: Sculpture at Cupitt's Winery was born.

Also in 2010, Rick Stein and partner Sarah Burns of Rick Stein at Bannisters Restaurant Mollymook, came on board as the official patrons of Escape ARTfest. Their support speaks volumes about the vibrancy that the festival offers the local community.

Each year the Escape ARTfest goes from strength to strength, and is now a major event on the state’s tourist calendar attracting audiences from far and wide.

Whilst it remains a delightfully popular event amongst the local community due to its ‘grass roots’ focus - it also provides a wonderful platform for emerging artists to gain public exposure and opportunities for the community to witness and experience the plethora of arts right here on our doorstep. Our region is a haven for artists of all types largely due to our magnificent landscape, pristine beaches and relatively close proximity to major centres.

Since 2005 the festival has had an annual theme:

2005 - Escape

2006 - Journey

2007 - Spring

2008 - Land

2009 - Community

2010 - Reflect

2011 - Ignite

2012 - Branching Out

The 2011 Festival - Looking Back

By far the greatest milestone in 2011 was the coming on board of major festival sponsor the Australian National University. This was backed up by several major local sponsors - Apex, Bendigo Bank, Civic Video, The Milton Ulladulla Ex-Servos and Milton IGA Plus Liquor along with a host of smaller sponsors; over 80 in total. This influx in funding allowed the festival organising committee to greatly increase the amounts of prizes on offer, which in turn brought many more participants to the festival, and helped to take the overall event to another level indeed!

In part due to the increased prize pool, combined with the 2011 theme 'IGNITE', the 2011 Escape ARTfest was possibly the most successful to date with record entries across all art prizes, events and activities. 

2011 also saw the introduction of the Escape ARTfest Young Musician and Songwriting Awards, as well as the inaugural PechaKucha Ulladulla event - a unique series of creative presentations which will continue to feature throughout the year.

Another very exciting 'first' occurred in 2011 with the introduction of the Fast Forward Scheme. A generous local patron donated $5000 to assist local artists get a step closer to their artistic goals. The funds were shared by five successful applicants - Nadja Burke, Adam Webb, Malcolm Fellows, Dorothy Adair and Sally Willbanks.

The festival kicked off to a glorious start with the Milton Music Fest and special official opening by guest Lady DaDa and captivating performances by Circus 35 South. The next 10 days featured over 70 events across 40+ venues, including RIPE Sculpture at Cupitt's Winery, Shutterspeed, KIDSfest @ ARTfest, Uke Day Out, Ignite the Plaza, Manyana Arts & Crafts Fair, Escape Film Fest @ Arcadia Cinemas, Chefs @ ARTfest at Cupitt's Winery, Milton Gallery Walk, Literature readings, book signings, workshops, exhibition launches, culinary feasts, performances and demonstrations. Headline acts at the Milton Theatre for the MUD Music programme were BlueHouse, Bluestone Junction and Rafe and the Well-Dressed.

The festival finale at Ulladulla Harbour had a spectacular start with many festival goers settling in for the night, watching the much anticipated slide show of images from the previous 10 days and listening to the Young Musician winners. Unfortunately the heavens decided that a drenching was in order and the outdoor movie was once again washed out. ARTfest lives up to it's name as the 'drought-breaker'!

The 2010 Festival - Looking Back...

The 12th year of the Escape ARTfest was a feast of fun and festivity.  With more than 70 events being held over 10 days in one of Mother Earth’s most beautiful regions – ARTfest was absolutely 10 days of artistic bliss in the MUD!

Milton Ulladulla District (MUD) in Southern Shoalhaven on the south coast of NSW is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on earth.  Framed by lush green pastures and native bushland, the area itself is a picture to behold.

Each year the festival presents a theme on which the artists base their work.  The theme for 2010 was REFLECT in honour of the town of Milton’s 150th birthday.

Events were wide and varied with something for everyone and all ages in Art, Music, Literature, Film and Performance.  Escape ARTfest 2010 also captured the imagination and talent of the youth with a very special Youth Program.  The program was jam packed with outdoor family fun as well.

ARTfest 2009 - Looking Back

Despite a wet and windy week the response to events was fabulous, especially the indoor ones.

The Opening events (Youth Lantern Parade, Fire demonstration by Circus 35 South and Pamoja Drummers) were rescheduled and wonderfully received as part of the Cinema by the Harbour event on Saturday evening.

An almost perfect morning on Sunday at Ulladulla Harbour for Art 'n' About meant that ARTfest 09 was farewelled in fitting style - musicians, artists, dancers and culture lovers alike, congregated for the spectacular festival finale.

In between, close to 70 events attracted both locals and visitors. Events included exhibition launches, the Escape Arts Film Festival, Milton Gallery Walk, Literary lunches, readings, demonstrations, workshops, the Milton Music Fest and performances at Milton Theatre, Sculpture in the Forest, Glorious MUDsingers plus several other creative highlights - there's too many to mention everyone, so thank you to ALL.

One fabulous night was held at Milton Theatre on Thursday with the Artfest Awards Presentation and Slide Night. Here we witnessed a continuous show of picture highlights from the festival, readings by winners of the literary prizes and presentation of the winners from all the prizes held in conjunction with the 2009 festival.