Dedicated to celebrating curious minds and practical skills for how to live a good life, this year Bundanon Art Museum has launched Make Good Festival: Ideas for better living.
Running May 17-18, the festival will feature an inspiring line-up of authors, artists, craftspeople and other creatives. Presenting talks, workshops and hands-on experiences that explore ways to live thoughtfully and responsibly, the new two-day program is an opportunity for audiences to connect with a community passionate about innovation and positive change, and to discover fresh perspectives on ways to enrich daily life through meaningful choices and actions.
Curated by Danielle Harvey, Bundanon's head of Live Programs & Audience Engagement, Make Good Festival will feature several First Nations creatives, spanning across many fields.
"At a time when the world feels uncertain, people are seeking positive solutions and practical ideas to navigate their everyday lives. Make Good Festival offers just that—empowering individuals to engage with meaningful change," she said.
"Whether you're looking for fresh perspectives or actionable inspiration, this is for you. We're thrilled to invite you to Bundanon and the Shoalhaven to discover how this unique experience can help you rethink and reimagine the world around you."
The new festival is brimming with a variety of new and unique activations, events and workshops centered around cultural identity and education.
Dr Paul Callaghan - a member of the Worimi people from coastal Australia - will discuss his best-selling book, The Dreaming Path: Indigenous Wisdom to live our best story. Drawing on more than 60,000 years of culture and wisdom, Callaghan, who has over 20 years of experience as a healer and spiritual guide, shares sacred knowledge from First Nations people as a means of finding purpose in modern life.
Local First Nations Custodians Joel Deaves and Jordan Thomas will lead a guided cultural bushwalk and introduction to reading Country, sharing their traditional stories, language, and knowledge about healing Country, and Indigenous fire management.
Wiradjuri fibre artist, Jessika Spencer, a finalist in the 2024 National Indigenous Fashion Awards, will run a drop in workshop on woven jewellery making, using eco-dyed natural fibres to create contemporary pieces that speak to ancient traditions, whilst Aboriginal artist and teacher Jaz Corr will lead a Wayapa Wuurrk class; an Earth connection, wellbeing and movement practice based on ancient Indigenous wisdom.
Striving to both educate and engage the public, chief executive officer at Bundanon Rachel Kent, said the festival is just one of the many ways Bundanon aims to bring people together and explore new ideas.
"Bundanon has always been about fostering connection, creativity, and learning. Make Good Festival is the perfect example of how we bring people together to explore new ideas and solutions, aligning seamlessly with Bundanon's mission to inspire innovation through art, science and culture," she said.
Make Good Festival is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Tickets are on sale now.
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