Coming into its 26th year, Shepparton Festival is back enriching the soul of the region with a diverse program of events featuring local and national creatives.
This year’s theme, `Thrive’, encompasses all that makes the Goulburn Valley vibrant, built on the idea that hard times have made the region stronger.
Shepparton Festival creative director Jamie Lea said despite the challenging circumstances of the past two years, the region was flourishing.
“I’m gushing with pride when it comes to the GV, we can always do better and we can always aim higher, but we don’t just get by, we thrive,” she said.
“And that’s really what the Shepparton Festival is, it’s a giant collaboration, it’s 26 years of time, effort, sacrifice and contributions from so many different humans, to then deliver and be one of the longest running art festivals.”
This year’s festival program has been unveiled through a newly launched website, allowing for swift updates and adaptability in a time of uncertainty.
With more than 25 immersive events, Ms Lea said this year’s festival, while showcasing unique events in unusual places, was made up of a shorter, sharper program spread across the period of March 18 to April 3.
She said some real highlights were on the agenda, including the Bijula Country street art project featuring a variety of artistic mediums contributed by local First Nations artists, mentored by artist Troy Firebrace.
Other highlights include Illuminate, a light-show spectacular at the Shepparton Art Museum precinct on the shores of Victoria Park Lake, and Collective Skate Art, an exhibition displaying 40 local artists’ take on upcycling used skateboards, along with comedy act Very Mature, coming to Shepparton venue The Vault.
“Giving the platform and space to First Nations artists and locals is so important, we’re really showcasing the fact we have world-class creatives in this town,” Ms Lea said.
“You drive around town and see all this artwork, and people would think they’re from people out of the area — I know they would.
“But these people are all connected to the region in some way. I love the fact the Shepp Festival can facilitate that and give the opportunity to have these permanent artworks.”
The newly released website offers an artist hotspot to explore local creatives and their practises, and an ever-evolving arts map, assisting with the hunt to find art displays across town.
The full program and tickets are available online now at www.sheppartonfestival.org.au
Shepparton Festival is on the search for more choir members, welcoming all ages to be part of it. For more information, contact Shepparton Festival via Facebook or Instagram.
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