Mayo Arts Festival

A host of art exhibits and related activities will feature in the MAYO Arts Festival at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, Ascot on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 May.

Named after the school’s Old Girl Daphne Mayo, one of Australia’s great sculptors and an enthusiastic advocate for the arts, the biennial festival – which has been going since 2008 – will include exhibits from artisans who specialise in three-dimensional art, such as jewellers Barbara Heath and Old Girl Alice Yeung; glass artist, Jo Bone; award-winning ceramicist, Peter Biddulph; Japanese-born ceramic artist, Kenji Uranishi; and sculptors, Carly Scoufos and Michael Eather.

The opening night cocktail party is sure to be a hit on Friday, 27 May, with the Institute of Modern Art (and former TV newsreader) Marie-Louise Theile officiating. The St Margaret’s Arts Centre Foyer with panoramic city views will provide a spectacular location and you can purchase a piece of art from the collection on display. Tickets must be bought beforehand so make sure you don’t miss out.

Free and ticketed activities, rides, workshops and entertainment for the whole family get into full swing on Saturday, 28 May. Why not take the opportunity to participate in a workshop hosted by a talented artist where you can learn to create your own jewellery, assemble a micro-climate terrarium, dye Shibori fabric or several other fun skills?

The kids are well catered for too with their own art and craft workshops, circus performance training, hula hoop games and plenty of sideshow alley rides. If you purchase an armband, there’s unlimited access to the rides including the climbing rock wall, laser skirmish, giant slide and more. Sounds like the choice is made for you!

An artisan market will also be on hand to provide some quiet time out to browse and purchase quality affordable handcrafted gifts, art and design products, including vintage paper books and journals, antique and up-cycled homewares, vibrant ceramics, spa products, handmade jewellery and more.

Add to this a new gourmet food and wine laneway featuring craft beer, wine tastings and international cuisine from food trucks such as Roam'in Woodfired Pizza, Rolls Pho' Mi Vietnamese and South American Atacama as well as musical and theatre performances, and you’ve got a vibrant arts festival that’s a great way to spend your Saturday.

For bookings for the event, ticket prices for workshops (variable prices), early bird ride passes ($25), plus the full program, go to www.mayofestival.com.au

Need to know - Friday night's cocktail party starts at 6.30pm at a cost of $50pp, which includes a welcome drink and canapes.

By Vicki Englund

MAYO Arts Festival is a valued sponsor of Must Do Brisbane.com