An “Arts on the Plains” festival for the Gawler and surrounding districts has been proposed as part of the 2020 SALA Festival.

A steering committee comprising local artists has been established to co-ordinate, manage and promote the proposed festival and consult and engage with local artists and art groups.

Steering Committee Chair, local Member of Parliament Mr Tony Piccolo, said it is anticipated that the local festival will have a broad “creative arts” flavour involving a number of art genres, sites, communities and age groups. “We are keen to also involve schools in the festival,” said Mr Piccolo. “The festival will be designed to be inclusive and promote a broad range of arts and communities.”

The festival proposal has emerged as a result of discussions that took place at a recent public meeting and workshop of artists and representatives from art groups in the local area.

The “Arts on the Plains” Festival would be held during August 2020 as part of the SALA event.

Mr Piccolo said the festival is timed to allow local artists and art groups to leverage off the SALA promotion and brand.

The steering committee comprises representatives from the following:

1. Schools (Paul Pearce volunteered to undertake this role and consult and liaise with schools)

2. Gawler Community Gallery (Judy Gillet-Ferguson)

3. Gawler Art Society (Ellen Steyn)

4. Textiles Group (Sue Prothero)

5. Town of Gawler (Linda Weiss)

6. Gawler Business Development Group (Louise Drummond and Raff Stomaci)

7. Youth Representatives (Luke Halford and Charlotte Stomaci)

8. Inclusion (Tara Tauba)

Mr Piccolo said the steering committee is keen to hear from artists who are involved in indigenous art and those from new and emerging communities.“Artists or art groups who would like to participate in the festival are asked to complete an Expression of Interest that can be obtained from my electorate office.”Mr Piccolo said that the Steering Committee are also keen to hear from local businesses who may wish to host a festival activity on their premises.

To enable the steering committee to register the event with the SALA Festival Expressions of Interests need to be submitted by Friday 7th February 2020. Enquiries regarding the festival can be directed to Tony Piccolo’s Office via email at light@parliament.sa.gov.au or by phone on 85 22 2878 or call in to the electorate office at 148 Murray Street, Gawler.