Andy Warhol Summer Festival for families

Arts Minister Rod Welford today encouraged children and families to get along to the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) to experience the Andy Warhol Summer Festival.

Mr Welford said the free festival, from 18-28 January, was part of the Andy Warhol exhibition – Australia’s first major Warhol retrospective, showing exclusively in Brisbane.

“The Andy Warhol Summer Festival builds on the success of the Gallery’s four previous children’s summer festivals,” Mr Welford said.

“It demonstrates our long-term commitment to encouraging children’s involvement and education through the visual arts.

“We want as many children and families to enjoy the 11-day Andy Warhol Summer Festival and the Silver Factory, so admission is free.

“The children’s component of the Andy Warhol exhibition has already been a huge hit, with more than 85,000 visits to the Silver Factory in its first three weeks.

“Audiences outside of Brisbane can also get involved in the festival, with a day of free family activities at regional galleries on Saturday 19 January.”

The festival will include interactive activities and artist workshops for children to engage with ideas and themes in Warhol’s art. Performances and storytelling will be presented daily at QAG and GoMA from 10.30am to 2.30pm.

Other activities include the Andy Warhol Quiz for Kids Show at 11am, 12 noon and 1pm on weekends during the festival, fashion parades and screenings of Shirley Temple and Judy Garland movies and The New Adventures of Batman in the Australian Cinémathèque.

Gallery Director Tony Ellwood said local artists will work with young visitors to make their own time capsules and create soundscapes.

“Other creative activities inspired by Andy Warhol’s art work include printing Andy Warhol money, creating a Warhol-style portrait, and designing shoes,” Mr Ellwood said.

“Fashion students from Queensland University of Technology and Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE will present Warhol-inspired fashion parades. Kids will love the high energy performances by The Velvet Dolls, and schoolgirl band, the Danger Bunnies, who’ll not only play original songs but Velvet Underground covers.”

The Andy Warhol exhibition continues at GoMA until 30 March 2008. Admission fees apply. For program information visit www.qag.qld.gov.au/warhol_kids

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985