News

In the lead up to Bazaar 2021, we're introducing you to some of our wonderful stallholders including Ronel Koen — a ceramic artist and the creative brains behind Fremantle-based ceramic business Swalō Ceramics. Ronel's practice inspired by the principles of Japanese Nerikomi, where slabs of clay are layered, folded, and pressed, over and over until it creates a beautiful design or pattern. Ronel is part of our inaugural Bazaar Incubator, a mentorship program for emerging makers in the first five years of their practice or who have never been a part of Bazaar.

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.

Senior visual artists and husband and wife duo Richard and Yoshiko Gunning are current Artists in Residence at the Fremantle Arts Centre. Housed in Studio 6, an airy, light-filled space bigger than most studio apartments, Richard and Yoshiko have been steadily working towards a new exhibition, Luminous Pursuit, which opens at Nyisztor Studio on 30 October.

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.

Melbourne-based artist Shaun Wilson is Fremantle Arts Centre's first ever Online Artist-In-Residence. The program was created as a response to creating art during the time of border restrictions and social distancing — providing virtual space for artists to explore and create digital art, to build online communities, and to have dedicated time and space for experimenting on something new. Shaun is developing a project called Revisiting the Decameron, part of a wider investigation ‘Winter Light’ examining the beauty and horror of plague through contemporary art.

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.

Sharyn Egan is a painter, weaver and sculptor. At IOTA21, Sharyn will present her collaborative installation What’s in a Noongar woman’s bag? Naatj Noongar yoka kooda, an exploration into the daily lives of her ancestors, using historical research and oral histories to trace the belongings found in a Noongar women’s bag in the 1800s.

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.