Artist credit: Susan Landau
Instagram: @susanlandau21
Erin Adams, founder of The Pop-Up Project in the Southern Highlands, has led a vibrant year of artistic engagement in 2024. The initiative, established in 2021, continues to flourish, offering artists opportunities to showcase their work and connect with the community.
June Long Weekend Event:
From June 8-10, The Pop-Up Project featured 35 artists across 16 studios, attracting over 2,500 visitors and generating $57,000 in art sales. This event not only highlighted local talent but also fostered community engagement and supported local businesses.
Southern Highlands Arts Trail:
In November, Erin and her team assisted the council in organizing the Southern Highlands Arts Trail, held on November 9-10 and 16-17. This event celebrated the region’s artistic diversity, with Pop-Up members like Cathy Shugg, Corinne Dany, and Jacqui Brown participating.
Collaborations and Exhibitions:
The Pop-Up Project partnered Bowral District Children’s Foundation to present the Best of Country and City Art Prize (BOCCA) held at Bowral Art Gallery. From this partnership we went onto support the Embrace Project Erin with Pop-Up member and artist Corinne Dany; they ran the art workshop component for youth and promoting a healthy body image.
Our year round monthly exhibitions, we hosted 11 exhibitions at the Centennial Vineyard’s Cellar Door. Notably, artist Rosa Fedele was the artist-in-residence for June, with live portrait painting enhancing the cultural experience for visitors.
Community Impact:
Through events like the Kaleidoscope Street Festival in Mittagong, The Pop-Up Project has strengthened community ties and provided platforms for artists to engage with the public. These initiatives have enriched the Southern Highlands’ cultural landscape and supported local artists.
As 2024 concludes, Erin Adams and The Pop-Up Project team reflect on a successful year of promoting the arts and look forward to continuing their mission of fostering creativity and community engagement in the Southern Highlands.
