Ngununggula, the first regional art gallery in the Southern Highlands, is preparing to host the eagerly awaited second annual Midwinter Festival from June 23 to 25.
This site-responsive festival aims to bring together renowned artists, musicians, and local producers from across the country to celebrate the region during the winter solstice.
The opening night of the Midwinter Festival will feature a special collaboration between Ngununggula and Fremantle Biennale.
'First Lights - Buungbaa-ma-ndhu' is a choreographed drone light show created by Kirli Saunders OAM, a Gundungurra-raised Gunai writer and artist.
The artwork combines language and light to symbolise the rise of the sun and brings energy to the cold winter season (mugaru).
Director of Ngununggula, Megan Monte said "Midwinter Festival was such a special event for our region last year, and we are thrilled to be holding this festival once again.
"From thought provoking art installations to wonderful live music, this is an opportunity to showcase the best of the Southern Highlands, and to celebrate our extremely talented local artists and musicians."
Saunders' poetic and bilingual digital work serves as a campfire bedtime story. It pays homage to the ancestral tales of the late Aunty Velma Mulcahy, a respected traditional owner of Gundungurra Country.
The artwork not only honours these stories but also inspires audiences to collaborate and curate a future together.
The midwinter Festival will offer a dynamic live music program spanning three days.
During the day emerging local musicians will perform, while Friday night will be headlined by the talented singer and DJ Sheba Williams. On Saturday night, the award-winning duo Electric Fields will encapsulate the audience with the voice of Zaachariaha Fielding, who often sings in the traditional languages of the Anangu people.
Alongside producer Michael Ross, they will deliver a powerful performance that merges living traditional culture with electronic music.
In addition, Ngununggula presents Savour the Highlands, a bespoke food and wine market in partnership with GROW Southern Highlands.
Showcasing the best local restaurants, makers, and producers, the event includes popular food trucks like Lily Piggy, Delilah's, OMG Donuts, Billy Chan Dumplings, and Momo's on Wheels.
The gallery cafe Hearth by Moonacres offers a complimentary wine and a 3-course French-inspired dinner using organic produce from Moonacres Farm, prepared by renowned chef Ryan Tierney.
Local artist Lily Cummins will lead Monster Magic, a special workshop where children can engage in art making and performance. They will have the opportunity to create costumes and participate in the Burning Man celebrations.
Sunday will be filled with family and children's activities. Visitors can meet Piccolo the Unicorn and join art making workshops led by local artists Ric Abel, Rosa Fedele, and Yvette Tzilaas.
The festival also features the exhibition Once More With Feeling, showcasing the work of contemporary Australian artists Karen Black, Georgia Spain, Cybele Cox, and Michelle Ussher.
The exhibition, which explores the connection between the human form and culture, femininity, sexuality, theatre, and ritual, will be on display until August 13, 2023.
Midwinter Festival runs from Friday 23 - Sunday 25 June 2023 at Ngununggula.
Tickets are available via Ngununggula's website.
