ESEM Projects director Michael Killalea is promising the broadest scope of illuminations ever seen at the Bathurst Winter Festival this year, as the popular event prepares to launch on Saturday.
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While the Bathurst Court House will be a notable omission, 11 unique locations will comprise a vibrant Illumination Light Walk weaving through the CBD.
The walk starts at Pedrotta's Lane [laneway to Bathurst City Centre] and finishes at the Bathurst Rail Museum via William, Howick, George and Keppel streets, with a mix of new and regular spots included.
Mr Killalea said a key focus for this year's illuminations was to engage a wide spectrum of creatives from and associated with the Bathurst community.
"Over the past six years, we have met so many wonderful creatives, and these networks have continued to extend every time we've come down to work on the festival," he said.
"Bathurst Regional Art Gallery director Sarah Gurich has played a really important role behind the scenes, introducing us to two of our key collaborators [Birrunga Wiradyuri and Stephen 'Sven' Rogers] for this year's illuminations."
"The Mitchell Conservatorium has also played an instrumental role in suggesting two outstanding musicians [Todd Brownlow and Dave Webb] to contribute soundscapes for certain illuminations, alongside our regular contributor, Rob Shannon."
Further local collaborators include Kylie Ledger, Jane Dempster, Tsanga Man, Kelso High Campus, MacKillop College and Bathurst PCYC.
Of the 11 illumination locations, six [Pedrotta's Lane, Macquarie Plaza/38 William Street, Bathurst Post Office, 109 George Street, Machattie Lane and Machattie Park] weren't featured in 2020, while Tremain's Mill, Keystone 1889, Bathurst Library/Art Gallery forecourt and 179 George Street will feature new looks from last year.
Mr Killalea said the festival's opening night will include the one-night-only BYO [bring your own] Beamer event at Tremain's Mill, inviting local creatives to bring their projectors along to display their own works for the general public.
"The initiative was started in the Netherlands by Rafaël Rozendaal, and has since expanded into a worldwide movement," he said.
"Projectors don't have to be state of the art, anything that shines a light on a wall will do, and electricity will be supplied."
BYO Beamer will take place this Saturday from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, with registration via the Bathurst Winter Festival website required for members of the public.
The Bathurst Winter Festival runs from Saturday, June 26 to Sunday, July 11.
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