OUTCOMES - Festival 2024
The 2024 River of Art Festival marked an unforgettable celebration of 20 years of artistic expression and community spirit on the South Coast.
Running for 11 days from Durras in the north to Bermagui in the south, the Festival shone a spotlight on local talent with a rich program of over 100 events including workshops, open studios, art exhibitions and performances including the spectacular Baranguba.
Visitors to River of Art enjoyed a diverse range of events including 15 engaging workshops, 10 live music events, a literary gathering, a poetry workshop, and special screening of ‘Bonnard’ at the Kinema, Narooma.
An estimated 15,667 people attended the Festival in 2024, with a total spend across the region of $30.2M 1 – an increase of 24%, thereby boosting the local economy, generating sales and promoting a thriving arts scene and community connection.
Visitor feedback highlighted the quality and variety of talent across the region and the generosity and enthusiasm of artists sharing their works and opening their homes.
It is such a great opportunity for open studios and for artists locally. And the vibe is wonderful
– great community engagement. A tribute to the volunteers who make it happen – a lot of hard work!
It gave local artists the ability to promote themselves their own way, workshops, exhibitions, open studios etc. It felt very natural and organic.
A sense of community commitment to creativity and the arts – no matter how high or low brow.
It’s a great showcase of local artistic talent both in the arts but also in the music, dance and food areas.
1 See River of Art 2024 Event Report by the Eurobodalla Shire Council
River of Art Prize Launch
Over 120 people gathered at the Narooma Gallery on the Festival’s opening night to celebrate our 20th year and view the art prize entries before the judges announced their decisions on the Art Prize. Thanks to Kristy McBain MP, Michael Holland MP and Mathew Hatcher, Eurobodalla Mayor, for attending.
The River of Art Prize exhibition was held at the Narooma Gallery, with the Salon des Refusés on exhibition in the cottage behind the gallery. The exhibition included 53 artworks – 26 finalists and 27 in the Salon des Refuses.
The Art Prize for 2024 went to Annika Romeyn for her exquisite watercolour monotype print “Passing Through”. The Runner-up was Dr Cathy Laudenbach, of Moruya Heads, for her imaginary composite photograph, simultaneously evoking beauty and chaos, nature and destruction – “What Remains, Remains”. Highly Commended went to Merimbula’s Katherine Boland’s image “Burnt Orange No. 1”.
The People’s Choice Awards were again very popular. In the gallery – 𝑩𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒆 𝑵𝒖𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝑺𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔. Bessie also won the 2023 River of Art Prize and the 2023 People’s Choice Award. The Salon de Refuses prize went to 𝑱𝒆𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 ’𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓’. Bessie received a gift from Mogo Framers to the value of $300, and Jennifer a dinner for two at The Oaks Ranch
Baranguba – a tale of Noorooma
River of Art was proud to present this captivating performance by the Djaadjawan Dancers telling one of the stories of the First People of Narooma. The performance blended traditional practices and storytelling with modern technology to create a highlight of the River of Art program. Baranguba was performed by the Djaadjawan Dancers accompanied by creative director Scott Baker, motion graphics artist Duncan Irving, and technical team Visumotus.
Presented with the support of CreateNSW, three performances were held over the October long weekend drawing nearly 600 people. Audiences were highly engaged with the Q&A and opportunity to meet the artists after each event. Ticket sales surpassed expectations and Barangua was rated very good to excellent by all those who attended. It was one of the top favourite events during the Festival.
The Arts trail: open studios and exhibitions
The Festival saw around 50 open studios and galleries showcasing their works along with 24 artists opening their studios to the public during the Festival. Visitors rated the open studios and gallery as very good to excellent with over 1,000 visitors joining the Arts Trail.
Among the exhibition highlights were the Eurobodalla Fibre Textiles and Artists Group (EFTAG), the Basil Sellers Exhibition Centre, The Digressionists, Montague Arts and Crafts Society (MACS), the South Coast Pastel Society, Repurposing for Resilience, Narooma Camera Club, and the exceptional River of Art Prize exhibition held at Narooma Gallery.
Town celebrations
River of Art created town hubs in Mogo and Bodalla to centre creative activities. Working with local businesses and communities we helped create a festive atmosphere and draw in communities and visitors.
‘Mogo Day’ was held on Sunday 6th October and the streets came alive with hands-on activities for kids, and live music with the Total Fire Band, Ron ‘Callo’ Callaghan, and indie-rock duo Violet Young and Elsie at Grumpy and Sweethearts Cafe. Artworks were on display through the shops and the cafes and eateries were full.
Bodalla festivities were held on 28 and 29 September and included the Axe Handle competition, a plein air exhibition in the ‘Pink Cube’, a live mural painting and makers’ market at Artisans Nest. Artworks were on show at local cafes and open studios, and the Bodalla Pub put on some lunchtime live music.
Outcomes study
The Festival saw positive reports across the board, especially in the number of visits to open studios and exhibitions, gratifying for artists who often work long and hard in solitude. Many artists have reported successful sales during the event and sold-out workshops.
The outcomes study this year shows that the Festival is a key generator of visitor expenditure and provides extended social impact for the local community. Patrons also believe that the event is important for visitation, but also for its opportunities for local artists, and expression of cultural values.
Based on data from the Eurobodalla Shire Council (see attachment), the Festival drew approximately 62,000 visitors with an estimated 15,667 people attending River of Art events over the eleven days. Total spend across the Eurobodalla was $30.2M million thereby providing substantial economic and social benefits.
Data was collected onsite and online and is complemented by data from venue tally sheets and economic analysis supplied by the Eurobodalla Shire Council. The following key results were found:
key results:
- Total local spend by visitors and locals shows an increase of 24% from 2023 to $30.2M.
- Visitor spend showed an increase of 57% to $14m in 2024
- Spend in activation areas such as Mogo showed a 107% increase to $535,487
- Average daily visitor spend from January to September was $840,288 but peaked during the Festival on 5 October to $2.15M showing a 51% increase.
- Visitors were from the following LGAs:
- ACT 25%
- Shoalhaven 7.08%
- Queanbeyan-Palarang 5.03%
- Bega Valley 4.40%
- Wollongong 3.14%
- Sutherland 2.73%
- Shellharbour 2.18%
- Blacktown 2.12%
- Canterbury Bankstown 1.97%
- Northern Beaches 1.67%
- Total Sydney 10.67%
- Accommodation from Batemans Bay, Broulee, Central Tilba, Moruya and Narooma increased on average 11%.
- Attendees reported that they would come again (98%) and participate next year. The Festival’s social and cultural impact was rated high on the scale of very good to excellent.
We’ll be back next year!
The River of Art Festival will be held from 26 September to 6 October 2025 and again include the October Long Weekend.
Planning has already commenced and we’re deeply grateful for the feedback from participating artists and Festival attendees. We know there’s always improvements to be made but we’re also delighted with the tremendously positive responses.
A huge thanks to our supporters and sponsors – your support of the arts in our region is appreciated and has contributed greatly to a successful 20th River of Art Festival.
Create NSW
Eurobodalla Shire Council
Whale Coast Realty
Philanthro People
Narooma School of Arts
South Coast Writers’ Centre
Bay Pavilions
Mogo Village Famers
Monarch Hotel
Excell Printing Group
King Bros Transport
The Oaks Ranch
Moruya Golf Club ,
Moruya Waterfront Hotel Motel
The Punt House
Mogo Village Business Chamber
SHOUT OUT to our media partners Region Media, About Regional and 2EAR FM
AND to all our donors including several anonymous donors:
Blackshaw Real Estate Coastal, Juela Mogo Jewellery Studio, Clyde Computers, Macauley Family Investments, Elders Real Estate Batemans Bay.
AND as always, thanks to all the participating artists and volunteers.
Keep up to date with Festival news by subscribing here or follow on Facebook or Instagram.
November 2024