08 July 2014
Adelaide’s West End will come alive every Thursday night as cultural organisations across the precinct extend their opening hours as part of the new ART AFTER DARK initiative.
Led by the University of South Australia’s Samstag Museum of Art and supported by the Adelaide City Council, ART AFTER DARK will officially launch on Thursday July 17 with a special pop-up cellar door event.
The launch event will give students, workers and the general public a chance to sample some of the state’s finest wine while enjoying exhibitions, music, films, food and more at a number of venues in the western corner of the CBD.
Samstag Director Erica Green says the West End will become a Thursday night destination, where people can go to explore the latest art exhibitions, watch a film, have a drink or a bite to eat or attend a public lecture.
“As Adelaide cements its position as a vibrant cultural destination, the West End is fast emerging as one of the cultural highlights of the city,” she says.
“By extending opening hours in the West End every Thursday, we hope people will be able to take advantage of some of Adelaide’s best cultural experiences after a day of work or study.
“Adelaide is widely recognised as a cultural hub with a rich and diverse local arts community that attracts exhibitions, events and artists from around the world. But outside of ‘Mad March’, visitors and residents in Adelaide still struggle to find something to do on a week night.
“The ART AFTER DARK program will deliver a range of art exhibitions, films, public talks and special events that everyone can enjoy at the end of their day.
“The initiative will also play an important role in continuing to transform Adelaide into one of Australia’s cultural capitals, and build on the city’s growing reputation as a centre for arts and creativity.”
Venues involved in the ART AFTER DARK initiative include the JamFactory, Media Resource Centre and Mercury Cinema, Australian Experimental Art Foundation, Nexus Multicultural Art Centre, as well as UniSA’s Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre and Kerry Packer Civic Gallery, West Bar and Samstag Museum.
Currently in the pilot stage, the initiative is set to run every Thursday night for the next two years. The launch event starts at 5pm on July 17.
For more information, go to the Art After Dark website.
Special events as part of the launch include:
At Samstag Museum of Art and Kerry Packer Civic Gallery visitors can explore the latest exhibitions while taking in world music by Silk Road Express. Dowie Doole will also launch their new limited edition range of red wine, Fruit of the Vine.
Australian Experimental Art Foundation will launch two exhibitions, Synonyms for Savages by Madison Bycroft and OdradekAEAF Performing Identity: Jenna Pippett, curated by Eleanor Scicchitano.
Mercury Cinema will screen the film Sideways (MA) and offer samples of the Chaffey Bros' ‘minimal intervention’ Barossa and Eden Valley wines. Wine tasting starts from 6:30pm for a 7:15pm screening as part of Adelaide Cinémathèque.
The Nexus Multicultural Art Centre will offer a full Yalumba wine tasting experience.
At the JamFactory, watch glass blowing to the sounds of DJ OCK while sampling wines by Seppelstfield Estate.
At UniSA’s West Bar, DJ Shoaib will perform from 4.30pm.
Contact for interview
Erica Green office (08) 8302 0872 email erica.green@unisa.edu.au
Rosanna Galvin office (08) 8302 0578 mobile 0434 603 457 email rosanna.galvin@unisa.edu.au
