FRIDAY 24 JULY: Catch The Rock at Husky Pictures, drop into home studios along the Jervis Bay Arts Trail, or admire competitive camellia blooms in Berry. With handmade pottery markets in Pyree and reptile encounters in Culburra, this weekend brings an exceptional mix of local art, culture and community projects. Here is your local guide.
Things to do Right Now
Listen to our 4th podcast, in this episode we chat with practising artists and workshop tutors maiki-jane blakeney and Greer Taylor to discuss intuitive cloth doll making, ephemeral art, and how two-day immersive workshops at Arts Muster Festival this August, will foster local connection and personal wellbeing on the South Coast.
Celebrate National Tree Day which is officially on Sunday 26 July. Take part in some local revegetation projects to celebrate National Tree Day, including “Re-veg the Edge” in Berry and “Healthy Trees, Healthy Seas” in Mollymook. These events and more can be found via Shoalhaven Landcare.
Make your own miniature tree and master the art of bonsai at a two-day course in Woollamia with bonsai expert, Mason Keene, for $500+bf including lunch and refreshments.
What Else is On in the Bay & Basin
Saturday 25 July, The Rock Screening in Husky: Spend the afternoon with Shoalhaven First Nations Film Festival for screenings of The Rock—a film by local storyteller Luke McLeod-Ebsworth made possible by SFNFF—and Wolfram, the latest film from Warwick Thornton. Based on stories by his grandparents and set in Central Australia in the 1930s, Wolfram follows two Aboriginal children stolen from their mother and forced into labour at a mining camp. Read our story about the making of The Rock, and book your ticket to see these Indigenous films for $15, and check out the SFNFF’s brand new website.
Saturday 25 July, Arts Trail: It’s the last Saturday of the month which means the Jervis Bay Arts Trail invites you into the home studios of artists across the Bay & Basin. See who is open and how to find them, from 10am till 3pm.
Saturday 25-Sunday 26 July, Berry in Bloom: A flower show like no other, the camellias will be put in force at Berry School of Arts hosting the national as well as local camellia competitive show. $7 entry with plants and refreshments available to purchase.
Sunday 26 July, Pyree Craft Markets: Look for the charming village hall in Pyree and you will find the Pyree Village Art & Handmade Markets, from 9am-1.30pm. Hosted by the Shoalhaven Potters, you will find wares crafted by local artists and creators from ceramics to woodwork, embroidery, jewellery, plants, stone carving, cards, jams, preserves, soaps, lavender, scarves and baby wear.
Sunday 26 July, the Zoo Comes to Culburra: Cantina Loco Lane is serving up a treat, hosting Filipino BBQ truck Kayle from 11.30am plus a visit from DragonTraining Mobile Zoo at 1pm. The zoo is known for its exciting hands-on reptile experiences, perfect for all ages.
Friday 31 July–Sunday 2 August, Citrus Fest Kangaroo Valley: Workshops, dinners, tours and high tea are all on the program at Kangaroo Valley’s inaugural Citrus Fest, a celebration of all things zesty at the peak of the season. Learn how to grow and care for your trees, or how to preserve the fruit in so many delicious ways. Discover zesty cocktail ideas and join a long table dinner in the KV Hall. There are activities designed for kids as well. You can hear Angie talk about the Festival on our recent podcast.
Saturday 1 August – Sunday 2 August, South Coast Fibre Muster: Our very own Wool Road Spinners & Weavers at the hosts of this year’s South Coast Fibre Muster in the Berry School of Arts all weekend. Entry is free and you will enjoy demonstrations of fibre arts, beautiful works on display and items to buy as well. Open 10am-3pm both days.
Sunday 2 August, Tea & Tones: Steep in the sounds of the local forest and the soundscape created by music artist Scott Gillespie while you sip Oolong tea served in exquisite ceramic ware served in a meditative ceremony by Jax Wechsler at their Falls Creek property (10min drive from Huskisson or 15min from Nowra). Reserve your spot to enjoy some gentle reflection, from 1.15-3pm, $40.
Friday 7 August, Young Designer Entries Due: If the young designer in your life aged 5-18 is entering the poster competition for the Spring into Sanctuary Point festival, the deadline is today. The youth organisation, Firefly Bay & Basin is hosting the competition for the best poster, which will become the artwork for this year’s event. Find the entry details here.
Saturday 8 August, Walk for Women’s Safety: The 10th annual SASSI 30 fundraising walk along the Jervis Bay coastline is raising funds for domestic violence survivors in the Shoalhaven and women and children at SASSI’s crisis accommodation sites. Gather at 8am in White Sands Park for a photo-worthy mass start, then choose your distance along the route to Hyams Beach. Register now and help make our community a safer place. Keep your eye out for the annual Women’s Art Calendar 2027, for $30 with all proceeds going to the Nowra women’s refuge.
Saturday 8 August, Bangalay + Bundanon Feast: The two renowned restaurants of the South Coast are collaborating for a special evening of dining at the art museum in Illaroo, inspired by Bundanon’s current exhibition, Man on Fire: Visions of Nebuchadnezzar. Tickets are $160 with an optional drinks package $60.
Sunday 9 August, Nowra Town Band in Performance: “Light & Heavy” is the theme for a new show by the Nowra Town Band, from 2pm. Tickets are $20/$10 cash at the door for a foot-tapping afternoon that includes a lucky door prize and refreshments.
Plan Ahead—Two Festivals in Huskisson to Book Now
Thursday 27–Sunday 30 August, Arts Muster Festival in Huskisson: Now on sale, there are 12 two-day workshops on offer at this year’s annual Arts Muster Festival in Huskisson, $350. Each class is taught by an accomplished and generous artist, in small groups of 10 students. Try your hand at making a cloth doll or discover fleeting beauty in ephemeral art, enjoy the immediacy of pen and wash or the ancient art of shibori. See the full program of events including art-after-dark immersive cultural experiences and a community movie night to raise funds for high school student scholarships to Arts Muster workshops.
Friday 28-Sunday 30 August, Travelling Film Fest: Huskisson Pictures is the home of the Travelling Film Festival, this year showing films from a whistling competition to features with accolades from prestigious film awards such as Cannes and Sundance. An all-film pass costs $126 for all nine films or choose a flexi ticket, five films for $75.
Saturday 29 August, For Music Lovers: Celebrated young Australian soprano Arianne Ricci is performing an intimate house concert in Kangaroo Valley, including music from Handel, Mozart, Poulac and Britten. Listen to her “crystalline vocals” and engaging performance for two hours from 2.30pm, tickets are $65+bf.
