Brisbane's up and coming artists unite their creative forces for the inaugural Art on the Wharf - a weekend of fine arts in a markets setting, night time light installation from the digital designers collaborative Rinzen, live jazz and free creative workshops with recycle gurus, Reverse Garbage, all at Portside Wharf.

Placed on the festive calendar in time for Christmas, Brisbane's ever expanding artistic horizons will be on display and for purchase from the select group of artists' stalls that will offer original photography, painting, ceramics, jewellery, accessories and other handmade objects.

Matthew Howland, exhibitor at Art on the Wharf and owner of the Flipbook Gallery, said that the inaugural weekend is a good initiative to bring exposure of up-and-coming Brisbane artists to a wider audience. He added that art on the Wharf doubles as a means for artists to sell artwork and also offers the opportunity for visitors to meet the artists from who they are purchasing, giving the piece and art experience a personal element.

Rinzen, a collective of digital designers, have been commissioned by Portside Wharf in partnership with Artworkers Alliance to erect a site-specific light installation as part of Portside Wharf's ongoing Temporary Public Art programme which will create a backdrop for the evening markets on December and will continue through to the New Year.

A fine selection of local artists including Benjamin Werner, Wayne Radford, Jan Van Dijk, Pia Robinson, Jonathon Oxlade and Neils van Amsterdam will be selling their artwork and the weekend long entertainment and performers will round out the artistic offerings.

Visitors to Art on the Wharf will be able to participate in lantern making and Reverse Garbage's hands-on workshop where one can learn to create beautiful and innovative Christmas decorations using salvaged and recycled materials, while learning about the environmental impact.

The inaugural Art on the Wharf event is a joint initiative of Artworkers Alliance and Brookfield Multiplex Portside Wharf.

Art on the Wharf programme will include:

  • Afternoon/Night Markets
  • Reverse Garbage Christmas Decorations Workshop
  • Angel stilt walker
  • Light illusionist
  • Cyber stilt walker
  • Unveiling of the Rinzen light installation
  • Flipside Circus roving performance
  • Day Markets
  • Lantern making workshop
  • Angel stilt walker
  • Face painting
  • John Hoffman Big Band (vocal and jazz ensemble)
  • Fantasy Fan Fare (roving performers)