Yorke Peninsula will burst into colour, sound, and creativity as the GROUNDED YP Art Festival returns from 15–24 August 2025.

For 10 vibrant days, towns across the peninsula will be transformed into stages, galleries, and creative spaces, with more than 30 workshops, performances, and events alongside captivating exhibitions showcasing the extraordinary talent of South Australian artists.

From glowing interactive light installations to soulful live music, from hands-on creative workshops to large-scale coastal performances, GROUNDED is set to inspire, connect, and delight locals and visitors alike.

Arts & Cultural Facilitator Molly Flanagan-Sjoberg said the festival has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated celebrations.

“GROUNDED is all about celebrating the diversity of creativity on Yorke Peninsula while also creating opportunities for visitors and locals to come together, learn, and be inspired,” she said.
“The festival not only enriches our arts and culture scene but also supports local businesses, strengthens community pride, and welcomes visitors to experience the beauty and hospitality of our region.”

This year’s festival continues to grow, thanks to the enthusiastic support of local progress associations and the Yorke Peninsula Arts & Cultural Working Group, helping deliver exciting events in multiple towns.

GROUNDED builds on the strong foundations and community partnerships developed through the former YP Art Exhibition.

The festival continues to feature major art exhibitions in three key townships, alongside an expanded program of workshops, music, and performances across the region.

“We are committed to making Yorke Peninsula a must-visit destination — not just for our stunning beaches and landscapes, but for our vibrant cultural experiences,” Ms Flanagan-Sjoberg said.
“From exhibitions and performances to hands-on workshops, GROUNDED is an invitation to connect — with art, with culture, and with each other.”

The Fine Art Exhibition will be hosted at Maitland Town Hall, while the Sculpture and Photography Exhibitions will be held at Edithburgh Institute.

These exhibitions will be open daily throughout the festival.

For more information visit https://ypart.com.au/.

 

Event Highlights

Sea of Light

Step into a glowing world of imagination with this interactive light installation where you become the artist. Armed with a UV torch, you can paint, stencil, and steer glowing ships across the sea floor, leaving trails of light in your wake. The gentle soundtrack and magical visuals make this an unforgettable family experience — perfect for children and the young at heart.

Weekends: 10am–4pm

Weekdays: 3.30pm–6.30pm

Free for the whole family

 

The Exquisite Familiar

A fascinating and immersive exhibition where South Australian artists explore disability experiences using the ‘exquisite corpse’ method of art-making. The works feature imaginative “familiars” — symbolic creatures representing personal journeys, barriers, and resilience. Visitors are encouraged to interact, reflect, and engage in conversation.

As an ongoing project, The Exquisite Familiar offers artists and participants meaningful ways to contribute, share stories, and expand the work over time.

Weekends: 10am–3pm

Free entry

School and community group bookings by appointment

 

Beating Up The Beatles – Charlee Watt with Karina Voigt
The Beatles as you’ve never heard them before — reimagined with swing, sway, and soul. Award-winning regional cabaret artist Charlee Watt brings fresh energy to Lennon & McCartney classics, backed by a band of talented multi-instrumentalists. Supported by Yorke Peninsula’s own rising star Karina Voigt, this promises an uplifting night of world-class vocals, musicianship, and pure entertainment.

Saturday 16 August, 7pm–9pm

Stansbury Institute

 

Lanterns and Fire – The Story of Widhadha
A spectacular finale to the festival, this large-scale outdoor performance fuses fire, light and storytelling inspired by Nharangga cultural history. As twilight falls, the Marion Bay shoreline comes alive with a glowing procession of community-made lanterns, leading into a performance featuring local artists, school students, and community. This powerful work celebrates connection to Country, love of Yorke Peninsula coastlines, and community spirit in a breathtaking sensory experience.

Saturday 23 August, Marion Bay shoreline

Free community event — dress warmly

For more information visit https://ypart.com.au/whats-on.

 

Judging panel announcement

The 2025 exhibition winners will be selected by an esteemed panel of artists, each bringing a wealth of experience, creativity, and industry recognition to the task.

Ngarrpadla Daphne Paringangki Rickett – A Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri, Latji Latji, and Nharangga woman, Daphne is a respected Elder and highly regarded artist known for her deep knowledge of the traditional use of Australian plants. For more than three decades, she has used her art to share cultural stories, engage communities, and foster understanding between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Daphne’s dynamic works, created in a variety of media, have featured in exhibitions across South Australia and are held in both public and private collections. Her lifelong commitment to education, reconciliation, and cultural preservation has made her a beloved leader and mentor.

Anna Small

An award-winning sculptor and experienced curator, Anna studied at the North Adelaide School of Art before embarking on a career that has seen her work exhibited widely across Australia. In 2017, she founded the Fleurieu Arthouse in McLaren Vale — an artisan hub providing a platform for visual artists to connect with each other and the public. Anna’s sculptural works often explore themes of nature, memory, and storytelling, combining technical skill with a strong sense of place. Her dual perspective as both artist and curator gives her a keen eye for originality, craftsmanship, and narrative strength in the works she judges.

Karen Waller – A Master Photographer with an extensive list of national and international accolades, Karen’s work spans portraiture, nature, aerial, and landscape photography. Her images are shaped by themes of identity, vulnerability, resilience, and the passage of time. Karen has been recognised as South Australian AIPP Epson Portrait Photographer of the Year on multiple occasions and has been a finalist in prestigious competitions such as the National Photographic Portrait Prize. In 2022, she won the Portrait Story Category in the International Portrait Photographer of the Year and continues to collect awards, including multiple wins at the 2025 Australian Photographic Prize. With a background in painting, Karen brings a unique artistic sensibility to her photography, creating powerful and thought-provoking images that resonate deeply with audiences.