It's big, it's bold and it's wonderfully fantastical.
Ballarat's brand new immersive art experience, Sunnyside, is a cheery celebration of colour, creativity and community.
Book your tickets now for the inaugural event, which will see internationally acclaimed UK artist Morag Myerscough transform the historic Ballarat Mining Exchange into a wondrous new nature-inspired installation, Chasing Sunbeams, from 6–23 November.
An immersive soundscape by local musician and composer Raul Sanchez i Jorge will drift through the space, offering a sensory connection that will be as intimate as it is surprising.
An original production by The Social Crew, Chasing Sunbeams is the London-born artist's first major large-scale Australian installation.
To help bring her vision to life, Myerscough ran several word and pattern workshops in the Ballarat community earlier this year to explore themes like belonging and identity.
The Sunnyside line-up
Extending beyond the main installation, Sunnyside will spill into Ballarat's laneways, unexpected pockets and hidden corners in a playful program of free wanderings, community collaborations, ticketed experiences and a creative workshop series.
We're talking:
- opening night festivities at the Ballarat Mining Exchange (Thursday 6 November, 5.30pm–8.30pm)
- design your own chatterboxes with Ballarat-based artist, illustrator and teacher Pauline O’Shannessy-Dowling (Saturday 8 November, 9am–11am)
- free artist talks with Morag Myerscough (Saturday 8 November and Saturday 15 November, 1pm–2.30pm)
- paint your own sunny placards with Pittywitty's Carly Pitts (Sunday 9 November, 9am–11am)
- neon block printing workshop with Carly Pitts (Saturday 15 November, 9am–11am)
- colour and storytelling workshop with Wadawurrung Traditional Owner and First Nations artist Jenna Oldaker from Murrup Art (Sunday 16 November, 9am–11am)
- make your own colourful granny squares with Pauline O’Shannessy-Dowling (Saturday 22 November, 9am–12pm)
Fontella The Zine Machine (created by Ballarat artists Siobhan Finn and Tegan Crosbie) will add a playful, analogue twist with 16 freshly made zines up for grabs, alongside opportunities to create your own with local zinesters.
And a collaboration between Myerscough and Murrup Art's Jenna Oldaker will transform a series of CBD laneways, drawing on the outcomes of inclusive community workshops that celebrate identity, culture and collective expression.
Sunnyside will run from 6– 23 November.
For the full program and tickets, head to sunnysideart.com.au
Looking for somewhere brilliantly unexpected to stay while you're in town for Sunnyside?
- Use the code SUNNYSIDE on the Hotel Vera website for a 10% discount on your accommodation. PS. You'll need to show your Sunnyside ticket at check-in
- Get 15% off your stay at The Provincial Hotel by using the code SUNNYSIDE25 when booking on their website. Valid from 6–23 November
- Mention Sunnyside when booking direct at The George Hotel for a 10% discount on your stay. Call 5333 4866 or email info@georgehotelballarat.com.au
And don't miss these super special (and delicious!) collabs created just for the occasion:
- Sunnyside Eggs at The Turret Cafe & Bakehouse — Sunnybank Farm eggs on sourdough toast
- The Sunnyside pastry at The Turret Cafe & Bakehouse — Sun-shaped pastry with lemon curd centre and marmalade brush with pink icing sun points
- Hey Sunny iced treat at Naomi & i — Red velvet cloud foam white chocolate matcha inspired by Morag Myerscough’s palette. Topped with whipped cream and sprinkles
- Cotton Sunshine cocktail at Roy Hammond — Grainery Lane vanilla vodka, Pavan, passionfruit yuzu syrup, lemon juice, egg whites and simple syrup with a cloud of fairy floss
- Sunset Cloudburst cocktail at Roy Hammond — Grainery Lane strawberry gin, strawberry puree, cranberry juice, lime juice and egg whites with a cloud of fairy floss
- The Sunchaser cocktail at Renard — Australian white rum, clarified lime and sugar. Garnished with playful edible fruit paints that alter the taste of the drink
- Sunnyside Sip cocktail at Kilderkin Distillery — Fruity, bright and fresh with Larrikin Buccaneer gin, Larrikin Backyard Limoncello, Backyard Arancello, tonic and bitters. Garnished with fresh fruit. On Saturday 8 & 15 November, Kilderkin will host Chatter & Cheers, a delightfully social afternoon where art, cocktails and conversation come together.
- Every Friday during Sunnyside, Hop Temple will host Hop into the Sun — think bright, funky music plus happy hour drinks at this hidden laneway bar
