Manly Arts Festival

Manly’s sunny seaside image gets some soul this September with the arrival of the Manly Arts Festival. Coaxing its many local artists out of their studios for exhibitions, talks and performances, it’s the perfect opportunity to see Manly as the enchanting artist’s muse that she is.

Festival highlights include Archibald winner Ben Quilty’s talk at the Dine + Art: Annual Spring Lunch (Le Kiosk, Wed 14 Sep, 12 noon. $50–$60), and On the Beach: Gems from the MAG&M Swimwear Collection (Manly Art Gallery & Museum, 2 Sep–14 Aug, Tue–Sun 10am–5pm. Free) – a collection of art which documents changing swimwear fashion over the last 200 years. Check out Joel Coleman’s ocean photography exhibition Saltmotion (Market Place, Manly 2095, Mon-Sun 10am–5pm. Free) and the greenie- themed Art at the Sanctuary + Short & Green Film Fest (North Head Sanctuary, Building 20, North Head Scenic Dr, Manly 2095. 10–11 Sep, 10am–4pm. $15–$25). With art on sale at many of the festival's events, you can start (or build on) your private collection. Learn from the best at How to Buy Art: A Practical Guide (Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Thu 8 Sep, 7–8.30pm. Free).

Take in art ( as well as a little local knowledge) away from a gallery setting with the Manly Sculpture Walk (Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Sun 11 Sep, 10am–12 noon. Gold coin donation). Or catch the Lantern Parade as twilight hits the West Esplanade (outside Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Sat 17 Sep, 4–8pm. Free), which culminates in a light show finale on the beach.

Join in the creativity at the festival's many DIY events. Leave your mark on all varieties of surfaces with events such as Surf Chalk Boards (Around Manly, 2–18 Sep. Free), which sees old surfboards recycled into blackboards; kick off your flip flops and hang them up in a giant heart for HeART Fence (Whistler St, Manly 2095. 2–18 Sep. Free); or add your old DVDs to a giant DVD Mandala Flower (The Corso, Manly 2095. Fri 9 Sep, 2–4pm. Free). You can even score some free original artwork by putting your Art in a Jar and swapping it with someone else’s at the end of the day (Short St Plaza, Manly 2095. Tue 6 Sep, 4–6pm. Free).

For the full festival line-up visit www.manlyartsfestival.com.