As Autumn’s beautiful colours settle on Mirboo North, the town comes alive with its annual celebration of the arts. Mother’s Day weekend is a fabulous time to visit and celebrate along with this vibrant community.
In its 38th year, the Mirboo North Art Show has grown into one of the most respected in Gippsland, with a quality and diversity of art works in various media that reflects the talent that resides in our beautiful region. The Art Show kicks off with a Gala Opening, which features the announcement of prizes, a hotly contested auction of Primary School artworks, live music, a grazing table, canapes and drinks. The Gala runs from 7:30 – 11pm, Friday 10th May, in the Mirboo North Shire Hall. $30 tickets include two complementary drinks, and a courtesy bus from the Shire Hall to the Grand Ridge Brewery where live music continues late into the night.
The Art Show is beautifully complimented by the Arty Gras Arts Festival which takes place on Saturday from 8am to 5pm. With this year’s theme “Art In The Park”, the organising committee are excited to be transforming the beautiful Baromi Park into a village green, and providing a full schedule of free activities for all ages. Encircling and defining the green: a food and makers market. And the central focus of the green: the Arty Gras parade, a glorious celebration of community. The parade heads off at 11am, weaving its way between the market streetscape and the village green, and this year will march to the music of the Invy Horn Jam and feature the comedic talent of Carmen Up!
Marshall Arts Face Painting will be offering free face painting between 9 and 11am, so head along to the Makeover Zone to join locals wanting to amp up their parade costumes. Other activities especially for kids: bouncy castles, giant games, a storytelling tent, and the Kids’ Dream Park Competition exhibition.
Activities especially for teens: scoot & skate clinics in the skatebowl, manga workshops in the playgroup building next door, and then, a series of gigs by local young musos in the Grainstore, including some Kool Skools award winners!
Suitable for all ages: * Carmen Up! will follow his parade performance with a seated show at the Art Show marquee, then a roving performance in the green. * The Gallery of Grand Masters is a photo booth with an arty twist – become the Mona Lisa, The Scream, the Girl with a Pearl Earring, and tag #mirboonorthartygras @mirboonorthartygras when you upload your masterpiece to social media. * The Leongatha Medieval Society will be displaying medieval combat and craft. * The Magentas, Simple Folk, and The Invy Horn Jam will be performing live music in the green throughout the day. * Musical workshops in the Grainstore begin with Steve Schultz’s drum circle (12-1), move onto Dave Paxton’s marimba madness (1-2), and finish with Sue and Wendy’s all-in community singing (2-3). All workshops are for all ages and all abilities – a great way to dip your toe into community music! * St Mary’s Church Hall is home to all things bric-a-brac * Arty Bras is on at the ArtSpace. Get along to vote for your favourite and beauteous bra!
The full schedule of free events makes for a great day out! The MN Art Show will be featuring Carmen Up, Artists in Action, and a Massage and Wellness Tent all afternoon.
Katie Dawson Kay Lancashire Bob Hickman
On Sunday, bring your Mum to the Art Show as a treat for Mother’s Day: tuck into an all-day morning / afternoon tea, be witness to the Primary School artwork auction finale, enjoy live music, and browse through the art and jewellery exhibits. What a weekend!