22 March 2024

Whimsical and wondrous light event to brighten up night skies in the Riverina

| Vanessa Hayden
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Limelight will tour Wodonga, Corowa and Burrumbuttock this April

Limelight will tour Wodonga, Corowa and Burrumbuttock this April. Photos: Manifeasto Photography, courtesy of Murray Arts.

Murray Arts’ much loved event Limelight: Art – Science – Light will tour parts of the Riverina next month, sparking wonder and curiosity in the minds of all those who visit the free event.

Starting off at Gateway Lakes in Wodonga on 13 April, the show will then tour to Bangerang Park in Corowa on 18 April and the Wirraminna Environmental Education Centre in Burrumbuttock on 20 April.

Limelight combines the creative skills and ideas that intersect art practice, science and light displays.

Audiences will experience magic shows, projections, laser and sound performances, animated storytelling, interactive music making, light projects, glow in the dark drawing, and be able take a selfie in their very own hot air balloon.

It was first held at Gateway Island, Wodonga, in 2018, and again in 2022.

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Creative director Alyce Fisher said the event’s unique approach to combining artist installations with science experimentation and light projections had been a real winner with the community.

“To be honest we didn’t plan on delivering it again, due to funding, time, resources and an organisational shift away from delivering big events.

“Then Create NSW announced their Rescue & Restart funding round for Regional Arts Development Organisations in the NSW network and we were offered $110,000 to deliver an initiative around audience development and engagement.

“So Limelight 3.0 was conceived and due to the funding boost we decided that we would use the opportunity to tour to a location in the Greater Hume and Federation local government areas.”

Adults and children alike are invited to discover, engage, and play as they wander along the lantern lit trail to each of the unique installations.

Adults and children alike are invited to discover, engage, and play as they wander along the lantern lit trail to each of the unique installations. Photo: Manifeasto Photography.

The event was first created for the stunning Gateway Village precinct in Albury-Wodonga as it has naturally low external sound and light bleed, existing pathways which wind around the Murray River and a pond, stunning trees, access to power, toilets, parking and “overall a rather magical vibe”.

Choosing the right location for the events in Corowa and Burrumbuttock involved a day of scouting potential sites.

“Our event team spent a full day driving around to many sites in the Greater Hume and Federation shires, trying to find the perfect fit for our event.

“Both Wirraminna in Burrumbuttock and Bangerang Park to the Guide Hall in Corowa had the magic and vibe we were after, and it was a unanimous decision by the team.”

Adults and children alike are invited to discover, engage, and play as they wander along the lantern lit trail to each of the unique installations.

Alyce said the key appeal of Limelight was that it would spark wonder and curiosity.

“It has multiple installations which you can experience at your own pace; we create a circuit which encourages the audience to choose their own adventure. All the works are created by artists based in the Murray Arts footprint, its free and truly is an all-ages event.

“Overall, it is such a fun way to experience contemporary art, share stories in a stunning outdoor location as the sun sets, with family, friends and community; a shared experience not to be missed.”

It is hoped Limelight will spark wonder and curiosity in the minds of all who visit.

It is hoped Limelight will spark wonder and curiosity in the minds of all who visit. Photo: Manifeasto Photography.

Local artists, musicians and performers will inspire audiences with an immersive world of light, sound, play and projection.

“The artists who have been chosen this year to present their work have really exceeded our expectations with their ability to think outside of the box and meld their individual creative practice with interactive audience participation and experimentation,” said Alyce.

“To name just a few of the artists commissioned, Helen Newman of Nomad Films is producing a new short film called Star Stuff which will be creatively projected into the environment, Adam Boon is experimenting with very large theremins which will form a highly interactive installation, and Kylie Biltris from ArtStartsHere is developing interactive photo booths which will be whimsical and wondrous.”

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Executive director of Murray Arts, Lauren Black, believes the event is a great opportunity for the wider community to discover the incredible artists and creative practitioners we have right here in the region.

“I’m very proud not only of the artists and their creative vision but the entire creative administration and operational team working on this event,” Ms Black said.

“We look forward to welcoming the whole community to one or all three Limelight events this autumn.”

Event details:

Limelight 3.0 – Saturday 13 April, 6 – 8:30 pm, Gateway Village, Lincoln Causeway Wodonga.
Limelight Corowa – Thursday, 18 April, 6 – 8:30 pm – Bangerang Park Corowa.
Limelight Burrumbuttock – Saturday, 20 April, 6 – 8:30 pm – Burrumbuttock.

What to expect:

6 pm – Attendees are welcome to arrive, bring a picnic blanket and find a spot to enjoy dinner from the food providers or brought from home.

6:30 – 8 pm – As the sun sets the art, science and light displays will come to life and attendees are welcome to follow the Limelight Trail.

8:30 pm – Event closes.

For further information visit www.murrayarts.org.au/limelight

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