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
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.
Part of Mandurah Arts Festival, 6 September – 6 October 2024
Sing loud and proud in this four-week choir program with Perth Symphony Orchestra
About the Event
Release your inner diva with the chance to rehearse and perform alongside Perth Symphony Orchestra.
This four-week program invites community members to rehearse a select number of swinging hits from the Big Band era, guided by a professional Chorus Master. No experience necessary, these workshops are open to anyone who loves to sing or wants to learn how!
The program will culminate in a final performance at Music Under the Bridge, where the newly formed choir will join a twelve-piece band from Perth Symphony Orchestra.
Part of Mandurah Arts Festival, 6 September – 6 October 2024
Take your music practice to the next level with this professional development program by Chop Street Music
About the Event
Calling all musicians! Are you ready to take your music practice to the next level, but don’t know where to start?
Resonance provides an opportunity for musicians and performers from Mandurah and the Peel region to learn valuable skills to propel you into the next phase of music practice. The program is free and open to musicians of all ages, experience levels and genres of music.
Chop Street Music bring their skill, experience and connections in the music industry to this exciting program, providing participants with unique insights into working professionally. Over four weeks the program will cover:
Songwriting
Music Business
Music Marketing
Music Industry Round Table
Program participants are invited to apply to perform live at HOMEGROWN, A showcase event on the Western Foreshore on Saturday, 5 October 2024
Places are limited, registrations close on Tuesday 27 August or when places are filled, so get in quickly to avoid disappointment!
Location: WOTSO Mandurah and Nabo
Date: Tuesdays, 10 September, 17 September, 24 September and 1 October 2024
Part of Mandurah Arts Festival, 6 September – 6 October 2024
An investigation into coding through contemporary ceramics
About the Event
CASM delivers its inaugural contemporary ceramics exhibition, showcasing new works by 17 professional and emerging Peel artists.
This exhibition, presented in partnership with international event Indian Ocean Craft Triennial (IOTA) responding to the IOTA24 theme of ‘Codes in Parallel’ through their chosen craft:
“Objects often contain hidden depths, encoded in the depicted motifs and symbols, through techniques and materials, or found in their ritual or spiritual uses.”
Exhibiting artists include Shannon Baggott, Chris Britza, Gayle Bukey, Jacq Chorlton, Carol Clitheroe, Penelope Collis, Tich Dixon, Isaac Gould, Alana Grant, Amanda Harris, Patricia Hines, Kell Lakia, Jean-Michell Maujean, Lyn Nixon, Bec Thomas, Fox Ward and Hamish Webster.
Exhibition Opening: Friday, 6 September 2024, 6pm
Artist Talks: Sundays, 15 and 22 September, 11am
Location: Contemporary Art Spaces Mandurah (CASM)
Date: Saturday, 7 September – Sunday, 13 October 2024
This event is part of Mandurah Arts Festival, 6 September – 6 October 2024
Follow a trail of locally created and inspired surfboard artworks weaving along Smart Street.
About the Event
Stunning works of art come to life on the most unusual of canvases – reclaimed surfboards!
Artwave brings together Mandurah’s surfing heritage and eight diverse local artists to create a trail of surfboard artworks leading down Smart Street to the foreshore. Each surfboard tells a uniquely Mandurah story and has been adopted by a small shop or business based in Smart Street. Follow the trail to discover the stories behind the artworks and explore Smart Street’s unique shops and businesses.
The surfboards will be displayed along Smart Street Mall throughout the Mandurah Arts Festival, with the winning collaboration will be announced on Sunday, 29 September at Mandurah Makers Market.
Location: Smart Street Mall (various shops)
Date: Friday, 6 September – Sunday, 6 October 2024
Part of Mandurah Arts Festival, 6 September – 6 October 2024
Visit this impactful installation featuring artwork by community members and local artists
About the Event
Falcon Library and Community Centre will come alive with ocean creatures this Mandurah Arts Festival!
This striking art installation features artwork by community members, created in a workshop by artists Julie Driver and Sharon Meredith. Using a combination of photography, digital art and crafting techniques, this installation brings the ocean into Falcon Library and Community Centre with a montaged seascape and dancing jellyfish to delight all ages.
The artwork will serve as a backdrop for the Bloom Storytelling and Diorama Activity on Tuesday, 24 September 2024.
This installation is free to view during library opening hours.
Location: Falcon Library and Community Centre
Date: Monday, 23 September – Saturday, 5 October 2024
Acknowledgments: This event is presented by Sharon Meredith Photography
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