Soak up Newcastle's live events atmosphere in March while celebrating some amazing and eclectic art and performance projects in our city.
Explore the Indigenous roots of Carrington Foreshore beneath illuminated puppets with Curious Legends in partnership with local Worimi people, or head along to Hamilton to meet local artists in their open studios as part of the Studio Arts Trail.
Here's what's happening during March so you can start planning…
Studio Arts Trail
On Saturday 5 March join the Studio Arts Trail to celebrate Newcastle's thriving art scene. Follow the Art Trail map and make your way around Hamilton to discover some of the most collaborative spaces for eclectic art projects in our city.
Stop 1: Hudson Street Hum, 7 Hudson Street Hamilton
The day begins at Hudson Street Hum where you can get involved in the community mural making activity from 10am – 12.30pm. In this hands-on painting experience you'll get to create a piece of work that, when all put together, reveals a giant magical mural! This community project is all about celebrating pleasure and playfulness through our collective creative efforts, guided by local art legends, Peter Lankas and Jane Lander.
You'll need to book in to take part in the mural making workshop but don't worry if you miss a spot - you can still come down to check it out!
Stop 2: Newcastle Art Space, 91 Chinchen Street Islington
Update 4 March: The Newcastle Art Space leg of the Artist Trail Day on Saturday 5 March has been postponed until 9 April. The building and carpark were affected by fallout from the Wickham Wool Stores fire and we are closed until further notice.
Next, make your way over to Newcastle Art Space for an afternoon of colour explosions from 1pm to 5pm. Take part in the birds take flight community artwork – an afternoon of delving into collage, colour, and pattern to form part of a large installation of fantasy birds. This activity is run by leading community artist Nina Katzmarski and is suitable for all ages. Anne-Marie Murland will lead studio artists through an experimental art exercise of shedding the usual and pushing the boundaries of mark making, and the gallery will also be showing the finalists exhibition of The Hunter Emerging Art Prize - Newcastle and the Hunters leading emerging art prize.
Stop 3: Creator Incubator, 15A/50 Clyde Street Hamilton North
The Creator Incubator (TCI) will host the closing event of the Studio Art Trail from 5pm until late. Come and experience a hothouse of local creative talent while exploring open studios, meeting the artists, and participating in workshops. The Creator Incubator is a lively creative hub housing 36 resident artists, designers, makers, and thinkers of National reputation. It also houses The Incubator Gallery, a contemporary art space utilised to showcase the work of TCI resident artists which is also available to emerging and established contemporary artists. Enjoy food, refreshments, and live music until late.
Photographer: Stuart Marlin
Gimbay Gatigaan by Curious Legends
Update - due to wet weather this event has been rescheduled to 24-26 March. Existing tickets holders will need to rebook their tickets.
Aboriginal dancers, a giant Stingray, and an illuminated Pelican…want to know more? Come join us for a night under the stars in Carrington! In collaboration with the Newcastle Worimi community, Curious Legends will present Gimbay Gatigaan (friendly Mudcrab in language), an outdoor, site-specific production exploring Aboriginal life and stories from Onebygamba (known locally as Carrington). Bring the whole family and join in for an evening of family entertainment showcasing local indigenous culture and stories.
The event is free, but bookings are required. There is limited parking in the nearby streets so please park at the Newcastle Rowing Club and make the short walk around to the venue of the Carrington Street Parklands. Richardson Street will see reserved spaces for accessible parking and access to the event.