Click on the links below
to register to exhibit
your art work or to
hold a workshop
CREATIVE PURSUITS ART EXHIBITION is open to artists from the Adelaide Hills, Alexandrina nd Mount Barker.
The theme for the 2025 event is " Community - the art of us."
Prizes are
$1000 for best in show
$400 People's Choice
$100 Best Young Artist x2 ( 5-12 years and 13-18 years )
Exhibition registrations close on March 23rd and will be confirmed by March 30th. Submitting an expression of interest does not guarantee acceptance due to the volume of exhibitors and space constraints.
Calling all artists and
workshop leaders!
Be a part of the Creative Pursuits Art Festival 2025 and showcase your talents to a vibrant, supportive community.
This festival is a celebration of diverse, mixed-media artistry, welcoming creators from all backgrounds and mediums.
It’s an amazing opportunity to share your work, lead hands-on experiences, and connect with art lovers of all ages.
Not only will you inspire a family-friendly audience, but you'll also be helping to foster a strong local arts scene.
Don’t miss this chance to make your mark—submit your entry and join us in celebrating creativity and community!
Celebrate creativity, community, and the arts at the Creative Pursuits Art Festival
This family-friendly festival is all about supporting local artists and building connections through the arts.
Discover an inspiring variety of mixed media exhibits, join hands-on workshops for all ages, and let your kids explore their creativity with special activities just for them.
Enjoy live music from talented local musicians as you wander around the exhibition, watch live demonstrations, or participate in a range of workshops.
Whether you're an art enthusiast or just looking for a fun day out, there’s something for everyone.
Come and be part of the community that champions the arts!
IMAGINE . EXPLORE . CREATE
creative pursuits 2024
was presented by the
Macclesfield Community Association
Art Group
2023
Macclesfield Creative Pursuits
was a jam packed day of artistic expression and immersive experience for all ages and interests.
Involving much of the Main Street it featured an exhibition of over 20 artists at the historic Institute plus workshops in stone sculpture, writing, weaving, ceramics, photography, poetry, gardening and painting.
There was a roaming crowd sketch artist and buskers.
The Three Brothers Arms showcased an open mic for original music.
The evening supper in the Institute was an opportunity to meet the artists and enjoy an array of Adelaide Hills artisanal products including bread, cheeses and a light supper, accompanied by local wine, beer and spirits.
Basket Weaving
Learn the technique used to make a simple bowl that you can take home with you, using coiling techniques with natural materials.
A new skill for those who love hand made objects.
Ceramics
Learn to coil a garden pot and make it your own with some added sculptural components to change its appearance to the limits of your imagination.
2 workshops offered.
Meet The Artists
Supper
Come and see our multimedia exhibition, meet the artists, maybe even purchase some art....and enjoy a delicious banquet supper including 3 alcoholic drinks with wine from our local award winning winery Longview and beer from Prancing Pony, [non alcoholic will be available too] as well as cheeses from Udder Delights and Paris Creek Farm.
Mayor David Leach will be in attendance.
There will be door prizes and cellist playing during the evening.
Writers' Workshop
A writers and readers, and lovers of murder mystery workshop (and you can’t have an Arts Festival without a good murder mystery!)
Join Moonglow Publishing’s Tanya Lyons and a panel of Murder Mystery and Crime writing experts to learn some writing tips, find out the secrets to a good crime novel, and inspire you to write a murder mystery.
All participants will receive a copy of Robert Koehne’s KILLER ISLAND and Refreshments and Morning Tea will be included. (If there is a murder in Maccy, you will be the first to write about it! – a fictional scenario of course!). Optional manuscript appraisal on offer for those more advanced.
All welcome. You don't need to be a writer, just a lover of murder mysteries. All readers welcome.
See moonglowpublishing.com.au/events for a detailed program, or contact Tanya for more details on 0414249842
Age limit 15+
Relief Stone Carving Workshops
Get a feel for hand carving soft limestone and create a nature inspired relief sculpture to take home. You’ll be guided in using hand tools and techniques to carve your designs.
Block size is 22cm x 29cm. Some other stones will be available on the day.
Workshop is conducted outside in enclosed gazebo.
Please wear covered shoes and temperature appropriate clothing.
2 workshops offered
Diorama
Help construct an imaginative 3D interpretation of Crystal Lake flora and fauna out of willow, masking tape, glue and tissue paper.
Suitable for children and families.
2 workshops offered, subject to availability of space
Tintype Photography
Macclesfield will host a free live photography event using an 1850’s photography technique. A vintage mobile darkroom will be used to create unique handmade images at the Macclesfield Institute. Watch portraits being made in an on-stage studio using the wet plate collodion Tintype technique (using large format cameras), with on-site darkroom processing broadcast live in the hall.
Bookings for portraits can be made via the TintypeTraveller website
https://tintypetraveller.com.au/events
Midwinter Afternoon of Books
An informal meet the authors event to meet the Local Crime Writers.
Browse / Buy / Read New Locally Published Crime/Murder Mystery Books. Special Second Hand Murder Mystery/Crime Books for Sale with Local Macclesfield Bookseller Colin Mizon.
Ekphrastic Poetry workshop
Ekphrastic poetry is defined as poetry written about works of art, be it paintings or sculpture or photos. It could be a painting or photo of a landscape or a person.
To begin with participants will endeavour to talk and write about the work of art in vivid/telling detail.
The second part of the exercise includes an exploration of how the speaker/writer participant feels about the painting/sculpture or photo – essentially providing an answer to the question, how does this painting/sculpture or photo effect you or, put simply, what words come to mind when you first see the particular work of art. The workshop will encourage participants to become poetic storytellers as they talk and write about the works of art they observe. Roger Rees is Emeritus Professor of Disability Research in the School of Medicine at Flinders University. His latest published work is: Venturing Out - Poems and Portraits.
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Henna Tattoo
Mount Barker Council are offering free henna tattoo painting as part of its community resilience project.
Kids Face Painting
Reclink are offering free face painting as part of its community resilience project.
Crowd Sketcher
My pursuit of mastery in my art form is driven by a deep love for the drawing of people. I am constantly pushing myself to improve and grow, embracing new techniques and approaches to my work. As an artist there is nothing more rewarding than creating a piece that truly captures the essence of the subject, evoking an emotional response in both origin and form.
Sketches can be purchased
Artist : Juliet de Morton
Busking
Be entertained by our local talent, Tin Can Alley, Alex McFarlane and more.
Open Mic
Open Mic afternoon for original music at the cosy Three Brothers Arms.
Enjoy the family friendly ambience of the Goat's Head Bar and open fire.
Add your name to the list on the day
Try one of their popular pizzas.
Spectators most welcome!
Historic Buildings Sketching Workshop
Bronwen Whyatt’s whimsical watercolour sketches evoke the fun and freedom of travel, and bring the rich history of buildings to life. Learn to use watercolour pencils to sketch historic buildings in your own style.
Bring: Pencil, eraser, waterproof pen (0.3 diameter), portable stool and umbrella, phone camera (in case rain/wind).
Co-Creative Garden Design Workshop
Join local landscape designer & garden educator Amanda Reynolds for her Co-creative Garden Design workshop where you can learn how to design your own beautiful garden using the art of combining shape, scale, texture, movement and colour.
With over 35 years experience as a landscape designer, educator and nursery owner, Amanda Reynolds is known for her enthusiasm and love for the environment & gardening, and the vital role they can play in our physical and emotional wellbeing. She has a passion for sustainable and regenerative gardening, and working with nature to create beautiful spaces for all.
As a Landscape Designer, Amanda designs holistic garden based on permaculture & regenerative principles, and loves developing productive gardens, biodiversity gardens and beautiful spaces of sanctuary. She has a strong emphasis on soil health, correct plant choice and minimal maintenance.
$100 Raffle
The Macclesfield Hotel has sponsored a $100 voucher to spend how you wish at their fabulous renovated pub.
You may want to try the award winning Schnitty!
$2 per raffle ticket
