Overview
Do your usual trips to Minjerribah, also known as North Stradbroke, involve hitting the beach? Of course they do. That's one of the island's biggest drawcards — but soaking up the destination's arts scene deserves to be on your list as well. And if you don't quite know where to start, there's a ten-day arts trail dedicated to that very topic.
Thanks to the Island Artists and Makers Straddie Arts Trail, there are plenty of places to start — 34 stops across three townships, actually. Running from Friday, August 12–Sunday, August 21, the event will showcase more than 50 artists and six community groups across Straddie's scenic expanse, covering folks in Dunwich, Amity and Point Lookout.
Put together by Island Artists and Makers (iam), the trail has a theme, too: creative island. Even if that concept wasn't overtly pushed to the fore, it's obviously what visitors will find as they head to community and museum galleries, wander into open studios and scope out pop-up galleries. Also, plenty of Straddie's retailers, restaurants and cafes are getting into the spirit of the trail, too, featuring pieces by the island's artists and makers, and hosting events as well.
If you're keen to learn a few skills while you're there, you can book into workshops on everything from making jewellery and blacksmith methods to upcycling using embroidery, weaving and beekeeping. Some sessions are free, but others vary in price.
Fireside storytelling is also on the agenda on selected evenings, and an island bazaar will feature from 8am–12pm across Friday, August 12–Sunday, August 14 and again from Friday, August 19–Sunday, August 21 at the Point Lookout Markets.
