Giant panorama painting to feature

ART aficionados will hit Murwillumbah later this month as the Caldera ArtFest hosts its largest exhibition to date.

ART aficionados will hit Murwillumbah later this month as the Caldera ArtFest hosts its largest exhibition to date.

Extended from two days to 10, the festival will showcase over 100 specially selected artists in natural surroundings supporting biodiversity and environmental conservation issues.

This year will feature the 20m-long Green Cauldron Panorama, which is formed of 16 panels and displays the impressive view from Mt Warning.

This enormous art work is commissioned by Tweed Shire Council and will eventually find its way to the World Heritage Rainforest Centre in Murwillumbah after the festival comes to a close.

Three artists who received fellowship funding from Caldera Art will also be exhibited, which is a first for the ArtFest event.

Additionally, this year's Murwillumbah Banana Festival Queen Jessica Mattner will have her work on display for the public to see.

Community groups, local government and state agencies will be in attendance with displays and films encouraging natural resource management and other green ideas.

Project manager Andy Reimanis said he thought the extended festival would draw a considerable crowd this year and described it as a "quality event".

"It's going to be good as ever. There's 70 artists and some really quality work.

"I never cease to be amazed at the variety of artists and works that come through," he said.

ArtFest will have its grand opening at 4.30pm Saturday, September 29

Organisers are encouraging locals to come down and help open the festival with a bang.

Original artwork will be for sale on the day, allowing the public to take home something special and help support land care projects and the artists involved.

This year ArtFest joins forces with the Tyalgum Festival of Classic Music to promote their combined message of environmental sustainability and caring for our natural environment.

Originally published as Giant panorama painting to feature