Lake Macquarie's Dobell Festival kicks off this week, marking 80 years since the acclaimed artist controversially won the 1943 Archibald Prize.
This year's festival stretches across the entire month of June and includes a 24 June jazz night at Dobell House, a 'Dobell and the Lake' cruise on 18 June and the Lake Mac Open Studios weekend on 17-18 June.
Rathmines Theatre will come alive on 8 June with the sounds of The 7 Sopranos, whose repertoire ranges from opera and show tunes to contemporary music.
Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Arts, Culture and Tourism Jacqui Hemsley said the 2023 festival program reflected Dobell's passion, innovation, experimentation and creative excellence.
"The festival includes workshops, presentations and exhibitions addressing various aspects of Dobell's life and work," she said.
"Sir William Dobell was one of Australia's greatest 20th century artists and it is fitting we celebrate his life each year with a festival in Lake Mac, where he settled after World War II."
Other highlights of this year's festival include One Song Sing – a pop-up choir where one song is learned, sung and performed within an hour at Sugar Valley Library Museum, kirantakamyari, on 4 June.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said a similar event held at the Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima, during last year's festival was a huge success.
"We had a fantastic turn-out, and it was incredible to see so many people coming together to enjoy music and turn around this amazing piece of music in such a short space of time," she said.
On 17 June, the Museum of Art and Culture, yapang, will host a 'Dinner with the Artists', featuring the team behind last year's Storm Approaching Wangi ballet.
Wangi Library Creative Hub will also host a range of festival-themed workshops throughout June, from a 'Waterfront Wednesday' art session on 14 June to family-friendly art activities and storytelling on 11 June.
In conjunction with the Dobell Festival, the Wangi Lions Clubs will present the 46th annual Dobell Festival of Art & Craft at Wangi District Workers Club on the 3 and 4 June.
The Dobell Festival is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
Go to arts.lakemac.com.au
