Colette Murray's Contact Details

Colette Murray's Company Details

Darlington Arts Festival

Perth, Western Australia, Australia • 11 - 50 Employees
Entertainment

Darlington Arts Festival in Perth Hills, Western Australia, is a not-for-profit organisation. Originally founded in the mid 20th century as a fundraiser for the volunteer fir brigade, the festival has grown into a huge, all weekend event. What started as an exhibition of visual art in Historic Darlington Hall, has steadfastly grown and spilled over onto the oval, the sports pavilion, and the Historic Railway Reserve stretching through the village. These days there are art workshops run by well known artists, there are facepainters, children's rides, artisan markets selling a plethora of locally designed and made goods, handspun and handwoven clothing, gin and whisky tastings from boutique distillers, camels, carrying passengers along the old railway line to the Sculpture on the Scarp, Brass bands, choirs, dance troupes, and even an internationally renowned slide guitarist playing at the wine tent on the Saturday night!Artworks on display and for sale by some 130 artists from small, intricately drawn items through to crane requiring sculptural pieces. Crowd favourites Ron Gomboc, Vince Austin, Madeleine Clear, Moira Court, Jan Day, Shanti Gelmi and more. The festival has grown from one that represented the village of Darlington to being a much loved event for all of the Perth Hills residents as well as those, 'down on the flats'. Visitors and contributors to the wealth of art, entertainment and markets are predominantly local (Shire of Mundaring, Kalamunda and the City of Swan). However, as the great reputation of the festival spreads, we see visitors from all Perth metro, the regions, and even interstate and international visitors. The Festival looks and feels like a pro event, but is run entirely by volunteers.