News

Across the vast state of Western Australia Aboriginal artistic practice is thriving – whether it’s the continuation of centuries-old techniques informed by tradition, or forays into exciting mediums – the ambitious output is as rich and diverse as WA itself, and will be celebrated once more at Revealed, Fremantle Arts Centre’s popular annual program dedicated to showcasing the best new and emerging Aboriginal artists who call the state home.

Presented in association with Perth Festival, Undertow charts the social and cultural histories of our oceans, exploring their role as places of arrival and departure, pathways to freedom, economic highways, sites of colonial terror and vessels of deep ancestral knowledge.

Fremantle Arts Centre’s Sunday Music will feature one of its most diverse and youthful lineups to date across January, February and March, rounding out another magnificent summer of free live music in the Port City. Running 2-4pm every Sunday until 3 April, Sunday Music features a carefully curated selection of some of the most exciting new talent making waves in the local scene, performing on the hallowed yet laidback stage in FAC’s Front Garden.

From 3–5 December, Fremantle Arts Centre’s Bazaar – WA’s favourite Christmas makers’ market – returns to the port city. This much anticipated annual market brings together more than 50 local designers, artists and craftspeople – offering unique, handmade gifts and homewares including jewellery, textiles, ceramics, woodwork, fashion, prints, stationery, toys and more.

From 20 November, Fremantle Arts Centre presents Hundreds & Thousands: an immersive kids’ colour adventure, bringing the magic of colour to life with dazzling interactive artworks, highly sensory installations and educational experiences that invite curiosity, discovery and play.

Immerse yourself in one of the world’s oldest and richest cultures at Wardarnji 2021, a spectacular evening of Nyoongar dance, performance and storytelling returning to Fremantle Arts Centre on Saturday 13 November.
After being postponed in 2020 due to COVID, this much-anticipated event will bring together more than 100 dancers performing traditional songs and dances alongside contemporary original works, magnificent puppetry, fires burning well into the night and an array of markets showcasing the talents of local Aboriginal makers.

The Indian Ocean Craft Triennial (IOTA) is a new festival that celebrates the traditions and rituals of contemporary craft, bringing together makers, artists and crafted works from countries around the Indian Ocean Rim. Opening on 17 September, IOTA’s inaugural exhibition Curiosity & Rituals of the Everyday, presents the work of more than 30 artists from seven countries across two venues: Fremantle Arts Centre and John Curtin Gallery.

Sunday Music returns to Fremantle Arts Centre in 2021 with a stellar line-up of WA musicians. Running 2–4pm every Sunday from October through to March, visitors can enjoy a handpicked selection of local music acts in the beautiful lush surrounds of FAC’s Front Garden. Best of all, Sunday Music is free to attend.

Surprising encounters, dance floor bangers, lavish cocktails and mind-bending performances. Fremantle Arts Centre’s new art party Leave the Lights On gives revellers the chance to dance, drink and delve into art like never before. With three editions scheduled - Thursday 2 September, Thursday 4 November and Thursday 20 January from 6pm till late - Leave the Lights On invites you to get your up-late culture fix with a stellar roster of local acts, from Bollywood DJs to spoken word poets and all-female percussionists.

Amanda Bell’s From our lip, mouths, throats and belly – one of the standout works at the 2021 Revealed Exhibition – has been acquired by the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the City of Fremantle and Despina and Marcus Canning AM; a momentous achievement for the Bunbury-based emerging artist.