Radical Fields Arts and Community, a non-profit artist organisation based on Djaara Country in Glenlyon, is holding its second annual Harvest, a one-day regional arts festival in a paddock celebrating creativity, community and  local culture.  

The event, on Saturday, March 22 from 10am to 5pm at Lyonbank Farm (259 Back Glenlyon Road) Glenlyon, is free, open for all ages and abilities and the perfect way to experience the region’s vibrant art scene.  

Creative director Ryan Kennedy said the one-of-a-kind arts festival presented artworks, artists and knowledge holders to engage the imagination and express your creative spirit.  

“Since its inception in September 2023, Radical Fields Arts has fostered collaborations with local artists, community groups, and residents – from the elderly to farmers – resulting in window installations, land art, community meet-ups, and storytelling  workshops.  

“Harvest is the culmination of these efforts, bringing together 10 regional artists and six community groups who will present performances, installations, and creative activations at the historic Lyonbank Farm.  

“Our one-day arts festival brings together regional artists and community groups to celebrate creativity in a beautiful, open-air environment. It’s an experience that invites you to explore, create,  and connect with others.”  

Festival-goers can look forward to a variety of exciting  activities, including: a meditative walk with Castlemaine Zen; a clay activation led by artist Minaal Lawn of Castlemaine Clay; a  performance by the Kyneton Dog Obedience Club; and a tractor  pull exhibition featuring athletes from Daylesford CrossFit.

The  event supports the Glenlyon Fire Brigade with a raffle offering great prizes. Featured artists include: Delia Allen (Ballarat), Tas Wansbrough (Ballarat), Martin John Lee (Castlemaine),  Hayley West (Castlemaine), Lixa Brandt (Yandoit) Gav Barbey  (Daylesford), Minaal Lawn (Glenlyon), Paul E Mason (Glenlyon),  Kim Percy (Daylesford) and Rhae Kendrigan (Mildura).  

Regional Arts Victoria CEO Jo Porter said artists were very respectful collaborators.  

“It’s not like people coming in and saying ‘we have better ideas’. They are more likely to ask ‘can we bring our ideas?’ That is actually a really important aspect of moving to a regional community. That sense of generosity and respect.”

Radical Fields has received financial support from Regional  Arts Australia and Regional Arts Victoria, Pride Foundation  Australia, Bendigo Bank, Australian Cultural Fund and a host of  private contributors.  

Link: www.radicalfields.com  

Words: Contributed  

Radical Fields, an emerging contemporary arts group based in the Central Highlands has launched its winter fundraiser and is accepting tax deductible donations until July 24. 

Headed by director Ryan F Kennedy along with artists Anthony Sawrey and Gav Barbey, arts manager Madeleine McClelland and marketing/business strategist Dana Ronan, the group’s arts and cultural program looks to connect people and place through the practice of ‘serious play’ in artistic processes.

“We work collaboratively with artists and the community,” says Ryan, “to create works of art that explore rural living in fields of agriculture, science, sport, mind/ body, home, and storytelling.”

The group, recently incorporated as a non-profit community association, emerged in 2023 to energise the local arts ecology and engage with artists and audiences in new and unexpected ways.

It set about initiating a six-month arts program centred around monthly meet- ups at the Glenlyon market and held their inaugural ‘Harvest’ at Lyonbank Farm last March.

Since that time the group has been busy planning their 2024/25 Seasonal Program culminating in its next Harvest event. In the meantime Radical Fields has announced its partnership with the Australian Cultural Fund to conduct its winter fundraiser.

ACF is a Creative Australia funding body that passes 100 per cent of donations to artists and arts organisation projects.

“With more than 50 per cent of our budget going directly to our artists, facilitators, and writers, Radical Fields is proudly committed to regional arts and culture,” says Ryan.

“We are grateful for all contributions, big or small and the help they offer to the sustainability and quality of our regional arts. As a team we look forward to delivering a stellar season and encourage any interested people and businesses to get in touch to find out how we can create together.”

All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Link: www.artists.australianculturalfund. org.au/s/project/a2EMn000009fPN3MAM/radical-fields-seasonal-program