Crowds are set to descend on Ballarat from 21 September to 6 November, thanks to one unique Australian arts event. Biennale Of Australian Art (BOAA) will celebrate and showcase Australian artists for six weeks over spring.

Featuring 150 artists (including Gerwyn Davies, pictured), with a strong focus on indigenous works, 65 curated solo exhibitions at 14 heritage venues, live music, and the region’s finest local food and wine offerings, BOAA is expected to welcome tens of thousands of visitors to Ballarat.

Julie Collins, Artistic Director of BOAA says, “My vision for BOAA was to create a festival which showcases the diversity of Australian Art, one that would allow Artists to tell our stories. Ballarat is the perfect scale town for a European styled Biennale, one that will create a whole of town experience”.

Exhibiting artists include, Northern Territory’s Numina sisters, Western Australia’s Abdul Abdullah and Ballarat’s very own Kim Anderson, whose works will tell Australian stories. A Living Sculpture Fashion Parade will take place and the Lake Sculpture Walk will see Lake Wendouree transformed into an outdoor art gallery.  Free mini buses, bikes and solar-powered rickshaws will be available to help visitors get around.

You can explore the festival program on its website.