Express your tears through words and images in this lament poetry and sketching workshop, presented by Design for More as part of the Mandurah Arts Festival (6 September – 6 October 2024).
About the Event:
Unearth the ancient art of lament poetry writing, one of the oldest forms of song and writing known to history.
Over the centuries, lament writing has been a tool through which writers and poets could put their frustrations and views on paper, and find freedom. This workshop will guide you through expressing a difficult time in your life through lament writing, followed by turning your words into creative sketches, letting your tears take shape. No previous writing or sketching experience is required. Just bring your authentic self.
Join this creative and mindful workshop and employ all your senses to turn your feelings of loss, disappointment and unmet expectations into something positive. Although this session is interfaith, interactive, and promotes discussions regarding loss, world view and difference, tolerance of other world views is required. This event is not suitable for young audiences.
Tickets – required
General Admission – $15 // BOOK HERE
French for open air, ‘plein air’ painting is all about capturing the spirit and essence of a landscape or subject outdoors. And that’s exactly what the Plein Air Down Under Outdoor Painting Festival sets out to do.
Plein Air Down Under Festival in Mandurah
Discover a palette of experiences
Love to paint? Why not take it ‘plein air’!
French for open air, ‘plein air’ painting is all about capturing the spirit and essence of a landscape or subject outdoors. And that’s exactly what the Plein Air Down Under Outdoor Painting Festival sets out to do.
Western Australia’s largest outdoor painting festival returns this year during the September long weekend (21-23 September), providing a unique opportunity for artists to share their love of painting outdoors amongst the magnificent surrounds of Mandurah’s town centre, cultural precinct and the historic town of Pinjarra.
But you don’t have to be a Vincent Van Gogh to enjoy what’s on offer. Whatever your age or level of artistic skills – there’s something for everyone – spectators and art collectors alike.
What’s on at the festival hub
Join us for an exciting weekend of art, music, and community spirit at the Plein Air Downunder Painting Festival. Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect each day:
Day 1: Mandurah Performing Arts Centre
Kick off the festival with artist registrations, workshops, and live painting demonstrations. Enjoy free activities for all ages, including painting sessions, children’s art activities, and live music. In the evening, relax with food, drinks, and a panel discussion with featured artists.
Day 2: Explore Pinjarra
Experience the charm of Pinjarra with live painting along the Heritage Trail, engaging activities for both adults and children, and captivating demonstrations by renowned artists. Don’t miss the live music performances and optional nocturne painting session in the evening.
Day 3: Grand Finale in Mandurah
The festival culminates with the exciting Quick Draw Painting Competition, followed by an awards ceremony and exhibition. It’s the perfect chance to see art created in real-time and maybe even purchase a piece to take home.
All artists who register to paint at the Plein Air Down Under Outdoor Painting Festival can enter two paintings into the exhibition to be held at Mandurah Performing Arts Centre. Judges will be awarding artwork across various categories and there’s a prize pool of over $12,000 up for grabs.
Wherever you go in Mandurah, you’ll be immersed in the arts. Continuing outdoors, you’ll stumble upon some of the most creative artworks along Mandurah’s Instagram Trail.
Follow the Mandurah Instagram Trail to find this hungry pelican by artist Jenny McCracken
Thomas Dambo’s famous Giants are still calling Mandurah home, and with the mild weather in play, it’s the perfect opportunity to head further out and explore the Giants of Mandurah.
Yaburgurt Winjan Cirkelstone by Thomas Dambo, Coodanup Foreshore
Visit the Mandurah Visitor Centre to get started, choose the Giants you’d like to visit and embark on your self-guided expedition. Don’t forget to check out the amazing ‘Welcome to Country’ mural by artists Peta & Corey Ugle and the 3D Augmented Reality experience that brings the artwork to life by telling the Aboriginal creation story of Mandurah’s vast waterways.
Come to the Mandurah Visitor Centre to enjoy a 3D Augmented Reality experience.
If you need a change of pace, head indoors and visit some of Mandurah’s colourful art spaces and galleries.
Black Stump Gallery by Emma Blyth, Mandurah
Where to venture beyond the festival
When you feel like taking a break from all the action on land, change up the scenery and hit the open water. If you’d like to see dolphins in the wild and up close, jump on a boat tour or cruise through Mandurah’s waterways and estuaries. It’s home to more than 100 Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphins – the largest population in WA. And if you’re exploring with little feet in tow, the Pirate Ship Mandurah is an absolute must!
Cruising the Mandurah Canals in Halls Head | image courtesy: Mandurah Cruises
Explore a different kind of palate
When you’ve run your paint palette dry and worked up an appetite, there’s no shortage of places to eat in Mandurah. Our top picks include breakfast at Wood and Stone Café, a relaxing lunch that lingers into the afternoon at Boundary Island Brewery and a dinner to share at Flics Kitchen.
Boundary Island Brewery
Mandurah’s restaurants are always cooking up great vibes no matter where you go. From popular local haunts Brewvino and The Pen to the iconic flavours of Redmanna on the waterfront – you’ll be spoilt for choice. There are so many great places to eat and drink in Mandurah. Just be sure to book ahead and reserve your table to avoid disappointment!
The Peninsula Bar & Restaurant
Where to stay in Mandurah
If you like to stay close to all the action of the festival, you’re in luck! Some of the best accommodation in Mandurah is centrally located for your convenience. The Sebel Mandurah and Dolphin Quay Apartments are footsteps away from popular attractions and dining options.
Part of Mandurah Arts Festival, 6 September – 6 October 2024
Explore the heartbeat of Mandurah with Mallscapes – where local artists bring interactive ecosystems to life on Smart Street Mall
About the Event
Mallscapes breathes vitality into Smart Street Mall with local artistry. Throughout the Mandurah Arts Festival, Smart Street Mall will undergo a creative transformation as vacant shop windows evolve into a dynamic gallery trail, highlighting the ingenuity of local artists
Inspired by Peel’s interactive environmental ecosystems, artists will infuse their creativity into each display. Immerse yourself in this installation as the exhibition unfolds over the month, and vote for your favourite artworks. Winning artists will be announced at Peel Makers Market on Sunday, 29 September.
Location: Smart Street Mall (various shops)
Date: Friday, 6 September – Sunday, 6 October 2024
Part of Mandurah Arts Festival, 6 September – 6 October 2024
Public art comes to life in our community with the painting of two new murals
About the Event
Witness the magic of creativity live and in-person as murals are installed at various locations across the City of Mandurah!
Over the festival period, experienced mural artists will be hard at work under the Mandurah Bridge, with new murals being painted on the Western and Eastern Foreshores. You can watch these artists bring their creation to life, and then be among the first to see the final masterpieces unveiled!
More information announced soon – keep an eye out for information about the artists and installation dates.
Location: under the Mandurah Bridge, Eastern and Western Foreshore
Part of Mandurah Arts Festival, 6 September – 6 October 2024
Gather in the gallery for these fun and engaging drawing events at CASM
About the Event
Challenge your artistic skills while exploring the wonderful shapes and hidden codes of ceramic artworks.
Contemporary Art Spaces Mandurah (CASM) invites you to learn and examine form and structure through drawing at its inaugural contemporary ceramics exhibition Codes of Peel.
CASM After Dark has offerings for different skill levels, whether you’re an experienced artist or just want to try something new! Bring along your creativity and some drawing supplies (basics provided if you don’t have anything) for this unique festival event. Ticket includes wine and nibbles. Places are limited, so book early to ensure you don’t miss out.
Form & Fun
Bring along your friends and enjoy this beginners art activity. Learn the basics of negative space and shading with two quick-draw activities, then put it all together and create your own masterpiece, inspired by the amazing ceramic artworks in the gallery!
Form & Face
For more experienced artists, this event introduces portraiture elements, with featured artists discussing their ceramic works whilst modelling alongside them.
Part of Mandurah Arts Festival, 6 September – 6 October 2024
‘perhaps, a theatre company.’ present this bittersweet exploration of love, community, grief and the trauma of growing up queer
About the Event
It was always going to end, wasn’t it?
Andie and Tessa. Comets destined to pass one another, doomed by the narrative. On their first date, sharing their coming out story for the 500th time over a bottle of expensive rosé, it feels meant to be – but as their relationship expands with heart and thrill, so do the ghosts of their closeted past. as the pair desperately struggle to escape the echoes, will they find their place amongst works of fiction?
With an all-queer female-aligned creative team led by five-star playwright Emmett Aster, i can still see all the stars. shines a light on the trauma of growing up queer. A bittersweet exploration of love, community, and grief, this compelling story will leave you wanting to hold yourself and your loved ones with tenderness.
Location: Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Fishtrap Theatre
Part of Mandurah Arts Festival, 6 September – 6 October 2024
Develop your skills as a professional in the art world at this workshop by international artist Lori Putnam.
About the Event
Artists have a bad reputation in the business world. And, for the most part, that is not altogether incorrect!
Lori Putnam (USA) is a renowned international artist, whose experience as a business owner prior to her fine art career has helped her to dispel the myth that she does little more than sleep late and paint pretty pictures.
This two-hour presentation and Q&A provide invaluable advice on developing your business practice as an artist, covering topics including:
Three things you can start doing today that will improve your professional reputation
Marketing is NOT an ugly word, if you learn to do it the right way
Social media, using the power for good
Organisation is not your enemy
Don’t just show up; make a good showing
Location: Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Fishtrap Theatre
Date: Saturday, 21 September 2024
Time: 1pm-3pm
Buy your Tickets Now | General Admission: $40 | Registered Plein Air Down Under Artist: $25
Part of Mandurah Arts Festival, 6 September – 6 October 2024
Reclaim the fun of fort building by transforming materials into a grown-up sized architectural wonder.
About the Event
When was the last time you built a fort?
The Mysterious Fort of Reclaimed Things is a great, all-ages activity that lets you create an amazing, temporary structure using an array of interesting, reclaimed materials. Revisit the excitement of building a couch fort, castle, cubbyhouse or architectural marvel, but at an adult scale and without having to clean up afterwards.
Bring the family, build with a friend, or lend your creative muscle to someone else’s creation. Once the event is over, take loads of pictures and have undisputed bragging rights as the premier Mysterious Fort Builder extraordinaire. Don’t worry if your Fort building skills are rusty; there will be no shortage of help from the ReMida team to get you underway.
Location: Smart Street Mall
Date: Saturday, 21 September and Sunday, 22 September 2024
Part of Mandurah Arts Festival, 6 September – 6 October 2024
Twelve community members from around the world share their stories of moving to Mandurah in this touching exhibition
About the Event
Mandurah’s diverse community takes centre stage in this exhibition at Mandurah Performing Arts Centre.
Mandurah is a place where people come from all over, to enjoy the natural environment, to escape the rat race or to find new opportunities. Twelve community members from all over the world have worked with Barefaced Stories to share their personal narratives of emigrating to Mandurah.
This exhibition presents their recorded stories, alongside photographs and a special item, weaving a visual and auditory tapestry of the different journeys people take make their home in Mandurah.
Location: The Mez Art Gallery (Mandurah Performing Arts Centre)
Dates: Friday, 13 September – Sunday, 13 October 2024
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm weekdays
Select times on weekends (call ManPAC on 9550 3900 to check)
Part of Mandurah Arts Festival, 6 September – 6 October 2024
Let your voice soar in this singing workshop by West Australian Opera, perfect for beginners and beyond!
About the Event
Discover your love for singing in this fun, accessible workshop by West Australian Opera.
Join a professional performer to discover how artists prepare for the stage with easy-to-follow warm-ups and basic singing techniques. During this 90-minute workshop, learn music from a song or two, some simple solo melodies, and enjoy the fun of group singing!
Ideal for beginners and beyond, this workshop offers you a chance to build your confidence while exploring musical expression.
