A celebration of art, music and culture

The yearly Pyrmont Art Festival will bring Union Square to colourful life this weekend.

The festival, combined with the official openings of Pirrama Park and the upgrade of Harris Street, will make Pyrmont Saturday’s must-go destination.

“It’s about bringing art to the people,” says organiser Leslie Dimmick.

“[It’s also about] giving artists the opportunity for display, sales and winning art prizes … Everyone who attends on the day votes for their favourite artwork.”

The celebrations will start at 10am and Lord Mayor Clover Moore will officially open the festival at 11am.

Hosting the event is celebrity host and winner of the first Australian season of ‘The Apprentice’, Andrew Morello, while ABC presenter Whitney Fitzsimmons will be the celebrity judge.

Ms Dimmick says the festival will have something for everyone.

“We have Adam Hill, who’s quite a well known indigenous artist and didgeridoo player who’ll be doing the welcoming ceremony, we [also] have a local choir from Pyrmont that will be performing,” she says.

“Then we’ll have Tug Dumly and John Maddox who are well-known street performers … and Pat Powell who’s a very well respected blues and R&B singer.”

Other attractions will include roaming street theatre, as well as cartooning and face painting for children.

The artworks on display will represent a wide variety of styles and ideas.

For artists, the festival is open to anyone whether they are professionals, amateurs, or as Ms Dimmick puts it “whether it’s the first painting in your life.”

Artists are given a canvas and are free to create anything they’d like, with the only limitation being the size of the canvas.

“It can be photography, drawing, print-making, sculpture, ceramics, whatever – just attach it” Ms Dimmick says.

“And on the day everybody gets to be there and celebrate Union Square [and] Pyrmont, and [enjoy the] big crowd.”

The Pyrmont Art Festival is now in its fourth year.

Last year’s event featured over 200 works, with thousands of visitors in attendance.

The Pyrmont Art Festival is being held in Union Square, Pyrmont on Saturday, 13 March from 10am.