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 collaboration.
The inaugural edition 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.
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.
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, artist talks, ticketed experiences and a creative workshop series.
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 Wadawurrung Traditional Owner and First Nations artist Jenna Oldaker (Murrup Art) will transform a series of laneways, drawing on the outcomes of inclusive community workshops that celebrate identity, culture and collective expression.
An original production by The Social Crew, Sunnyside will run from 6– 23 November.
Tickets on sale now at sunnysideart.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 Cheers & Chatter, 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
