A month of exhibitions, events and activities kicking off next week will celebrate the life and times of Lake Macquarie's most famous artist.
Highlights of this year's Lake Macquarie Dobell Festival, named in honour of Sir William Dobell, include a host of art workshops across the city, the popular Young Dobell exhibition at the Museum of Art and Culture, yapang, the opening of the Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima's newest exhibition Fresque Grotesque and the inaugural Lake Mac Micro Festival.
"The Micro Festival brings established and emerging artists to unique venues throughout Lake Mac, from cafes and libraries, to foreshore open spaces and a cruise boat sailing the lake," Lake Macquarie City Council , Lifelong Learning and Audience Engagement Coordinator Kirrily Anderson said.
The 28-29 June festival includes 15 performances at seven locations in total, including two headline concerts: MAP mima Rocks alt-grunge gig on 28 June, and Rathmines Beats n Rhythms at Rathmines Theatre on the 29th.
Wangi Lions Club will present the 48th annual Dobell Festival of Art and Craft at Wangi District Workers Club on 6-9 June, while a Meet the Makers session at MAC yapang on 14 June gives visitors the chance to go behind the scenes with Lake Macquarie's creative community.
The Dobell Festival also takes in this year's Float Your Boat weekend, where a fluorescent flotilla cruises close to shore on successive nights around the lake.
The boats will sail around the lake's western edge from Marmong Point to Wangi Wangi on Friday 20 June, with a livesite at Toronto, before traversing the eastern shore from Belmont, past Warners Bay and back to Marmong Point on Saturday 21 June.
Saturday evening livesites will operate at both Belmont and Warners Bay.
"Dobell was known for his passion, innovation, experimentation and creative excellence," Ms Anderson said.
"This year's packed program is grounded in those same principles. We're excited about its diversity and its appeal for all ages and interests."
