Get the latest news to your email inbox FREE!

REGISTER

Get the latest news to your email inbox FREE!

REGISTER
Friday, May 8, 2026
HomeOpinionThe arts are alive

The arts are alive

THIS year’s Fringe festival once again surpassed expectations, with a staggering 1,040,305 tickets sold for shows across the state.

Adelaide is called Australia’s Festival Capital for a reason, and the celebration of local art is not even close to wrapping up with the SALA Festival now on the horizon.

This year’s South Australian Living Arts Festival (SALA) sees a jam-packed program of local art, exhibitions and showcases across the state, with a number of highlights right here in Gawler, Playford, the Barossa and surrounding regions.

As an art buff living and working in the northern suburbs, there is never a dull moment in the local arts scene, but having the region really getting into the SALA spirit every year is a joy to see.

Some local highlights of this year’s program that I’m excited to see include the Munda Wanna (Land and Sea) exhibit by artist Presten Warren, which explores the rhythms of land and sea and connection to Country.

Another exhibit I’ve been looking forward to is this year’s Unleash in the Barossa, which showcases the work of learning disabled and neurodivergent artists across Tutti Arts’ three studio locations.

The exhibition has filled the studio walls with larger than life exhibition exploring the unique perspectives and diverse styles of the artists.

Of course, this year’s Arts on the Plains will once again welcome a massive program of local exhibitions showcasing the very best of Gawler and surrounding region’s art.

The Gawler Community Gallery is showcasing a huge array of beautiful artworks by a diverse range of local artists each with their own particular style.

It was difficult seeing the arts sector suffer over the past few years following Covid-19, but it is clear the local community is alive, well, and calling out for more art than ever before.

Digital Edition
Subscribe

Get an all ACCESS PASS to the News and your Digital Edition with an online subscription

Landmark hotel project progresses

PLANNING approval has been granted for the new hotel and tourism development in the Barossa Valley on Hoffnungsthal Road, Williamstown. Strategic Alliance and Commercial Pty...

Council calls for budget input

TOWN of Gawler is set to explore new avenues to ensure it receives ample community feedback on its annual business plan and budget. Council...

Headed for the capital

A PAIR of Town of Gawler's leaders is set to spread the good word in the nation's capital in June. Mayor Nathan Shanks and chief...

Curtain rises on Gawler community theatre

A GROUP of Gawler locals are looking to trade their humble street busking performances for something a little more formal with the creation of...

Hryhorec proves to have magic touch with Ruthless Offender

THE successful training partnership of Jill Neilson and Katie Wilson produced a double on the seven-race program at Globe Derby Park on Saturday. Ruthless Offender...

Magpies and Bombers battle in Round 4 headliner

FOR the third week in a row the Kapunda Bombers will feature in the BLGFA's marquee A grade matchup, this time against fellow top-three...

Transmission tension

A HIGH-stakes battle is brewing over the future of South Australia’s “food bowl” following ElectraNet’s latest transmission project being called “economic vandalism” by farming...

Sea Salt surges to victory in the Norman Memorial

EVERYONE loves a grey and none more so than Tara-Shae Linke, owner-breeder of Saturday’s feature race Globe Derby Park winner Sea Salt. The four-year-old mare...

Declutter and Save returns for Barossa

DECLUTTER and Save is back with two waste incentives and availability now extended beyond township boundaries and into more areas. Council’s hard waste kerbside...

Club Notes

Squash Barossa Valley Squash At the end of this local pennant round, Red Bull and Ferrari have been joined by Haas as the strongest teams. Mercedes,...

Stolen car torched at Hillier

A STOLEN SUV was set alight at Hillier on 3 May. Checks on the vehicle revealed the white 2017 Land Rover Evoque 4WD had...