Northern Illawarra Art Trail (NIAT) artists are preparing for their second Open Studio weekend on April 22-23. The team has expanded and it will be a super-exciting weekend. It’s just before Mother’s Day so where better to grab an original bunch of painted flowers or painting for your Mum?

We recently boosted the original Wollongong City Council Cultural Grant via a fundraiser at Stanwell Park Surf Club.

The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with fun and joy over drinks, simple wholesome food and exciting local art, as well as great entertainment. Kai Rennie sang up a storm while Sarah Rowan contributed a top speed painting performance.

Kai, a 16-year-old student at Bulli High School, is studying music for his HSC and is already a skilled and seasoned performer. Our artists were very appreciative of his generosity and goodwill in creating the perfect atmosphere for Sarah to paint and the audience to engage.

Sarah, Australia’s top woman speed painter, has been creating unique works of art for more than two decades. She is a highly sought-after performance artist having entertained crowds at more than 400 live events.

From Parliament House to the Opera House, she has made her mark as a speed painter at corporate events, weddings, festivals, fundraisers and schools. She aspires to raise more than a million dollars for charities. Her painting was auctioned on the night and, while it didn’t reach her previous high point of $50,000 for a single painting, we were delighted by her generosity and that of all bidders and supporters of NIAT on the night.

Sarah demonstrated her contagious message of “embracing your true colours and living a life of curiosity” and we are truly delighted to have her in our community.

Connect with Sarah Rowan at artistsarahrowan.com, on Facebook and Instagram @artistsarahrowan and Twitter @sarahrowanart

For more information about the April art trail, please visit www.niarttrail.com

To be featured, write to Edith at mcnallyedith@gmail.com