Newsletter No.1 April 2008
Escape ARTFEST 08
THEME: "land"
Our culture is what makes us unique, and after our family and friends, it ultimately is what makes us happy. Artfest celebrates one aspect of this culture - the arts. Whether your passion is painting, sculpture, music, dance, theatre or literature - art enriches our lives - it is worth celebrating. Artfest 08 offers a theme to inspire those who choose to participate - “land” - just the word, open to various meanings; it could be “the land” or “ to “land a plane” or “land a job” or some other connotation. This theme will apply to any of the arts prizes associated with Artfest 08 as well as various events during the festival. Happy landings!
Jules
Highlight your
calendar...
19th September - 12th October 2008
that's right, 3 weeks of festival, a time to celebrate our town,
togetherness and our unique community!
NEW LOOK
Escape Artfest 2008
comes with a fresh new logo, thanks to designers Meagan Jacobs and
Malcolm King.
MASSIVE 8 x 8
Start thinking
about those 8 x 8 canvases. Artfest 08 has made some refreshing changes
to the annual art prizes. We say goodbye to the S.O.A.P. and welcome
more categories to the popular 8x8.
Details to follow............
INFORMATION NIGHT
VISUAL ARTISTS & VENUES
This year the
artfest committee will host an information night for participating
artists and venues.
12th June
Coast Gallery - Milton
5-7pm
CALL FOR IDEAS
Got an idea?
Want to host an ArtFEST event?
Looking for contact with artists or venues?
If you would like to volunteer your help in any way please contact the
festival committee at:
coastgallery@bigpond.com
GLORIOUS MUSIC
“Let it go, let it out, let it all unravel
Let it free and it can be
A path on which to travel”
Those words by Michael Leunig are the philosophy of the Glorious
MUDsingers, a group of people from our community, ranging in age from
their 20’s to over 70, brought together in the spirit of friendship and
who love to sing. And sing they do!
Under the leadership of
Tina Broad and her right hand, Hamish Richardson , the choir was formed
some 9 months ago and has since gone from strength to strength . Now
numbering over 50 voices they meet each Wednesday afternoon at the CWA
Hall, Milton from 4.30pm to “ Let it go”.
If your spirit needs to be uplifted come along and have a listen. They
have performed at various functions in the community, including the
recent National Folk Festival held in Canberra.
The choir recently released their first CD.
Look out for the Glorious MUDsingers - bound to be at various events
during Artfest 08. Their appearances will be listed in the official
Artfest 08 programme guide.
Please
feel free to pass this newsletter on and encourage others to join the
artfest email list by emailing
coastgallery@bigpond.com
www.escapeartfest.info
In the Press 23/04/2008:
Artfest – 10th anniversary, new logo, new energy, needs support, 2008 theme
With a major milestone on the horizon, a new theme, a new logo and an infectious energy, the annual Escape Artfest is now only six months away and the organisers are getting themselves ready for a bigger, better and brighter event than those in the past. Each year the range of things to see and do at the festival grows and 2008 is already promising to be an intense 3 weeks of arts action.
To celebrate and promote this growth, a new logo has been developed by committee members Meagan Jacobs and Malcolm King. Expect to see the new Artfest “Face” infiltrating our district from 19th September to 12th October when the festival explodes into our community.
Over the years this community based arts festival has bubbled away, each event increasing it’s scope and followers. Now, in it’s tenth year, the festival boasts a massive participation rate and involves more local organisations, people and businesses than any other event. The 24 day festival will include over 60 individual events, across well over 40 venues, includes close to 800 local participants and many from out of the area. This does not include the delighted audiences at the various exhibitions, performances, readings, films and other art related offerings; many of these people are visitors which has a tremendously positive impact on the local economy at the time.
To celebrate the 10th Anniversary the committee are working on a few new and exciting additions, including the involvement of many visiting artists, musicians, films and writers. Of course we can be assured that many of the old favourites will continue to feature.
The theme chosen for this year is “LAND” – this theme will become a common thread throughout festival events and the various arts prizes. The organisers invite local groups and businesses to start planning their involvement in this inspiring festival. There are several ways that one might participate; a business could become an exhibition venue, host an event such as music or performances, advertise on the festival program and/or website, sponsor a specific part of the festival or offer to help in the planning.
As with any community event, the support of the local community is essential. A major component of getting the Artfest off the ground is the ability to raise the necessary funds. The committee has been on the look out for their fairy god-mother to fill up the bank account, but would happily accept the generosity of local businesses to help make it all happen. “So many other festivals and events have the support of a major philanthropist or sponsor, especially when it comes to arts prizes” commented Coordinator Julie Sydenham. “We have the potential to put our area on the map, and already have managed to secure major headline acts, internationally recognised sculptors, writers and other artists. With the support of a major sponsor we could make so much more happen.” In 2007 the festival had a generous list of local sponsors which lead to a highly successful event. The 2008 committee would be delighted to hear from any local businesses, groups or individuals who were willing to offer their support. “Nobody on the committee is paid to do this, we do it out of passion for the arts and for our area – it would be wonderful to see the businesses who benefit so much from our efforts contribute. Donations, however small are welcome, but more generous supporters are needed if Milton-Ulladulla is to attract the visitors that it needs.”
Potential sponsors, advertisers, venues, artists and participants are encourage to visit the festival website to download information and entry forms. All enquiries can be directed to Julie at House of Jules Art Studio on 4454 5993. The website is www.escapeartfest.info