CIAF launches biggest, most culturally immersive festival in its history

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair launches biggest, most culturally immersive program to date. Find out what’s on here.

Grace Miller, Ziva Osborne ,James Elverina Johnson, Tiarna-Rae Mills and Francoise Lane. Picture: Nuno Avendano

The Cairns Indigenous Arts Fair (CIAF) will launch its biggest and most immersive program to date with art and performances showcasing some of the best talent Far North Queensland has to offer.

CIAF Director Francoise Lane said the art fair, which has the theme Weaving Our Future: Claiming Our Sovereignty, would be the most culturally immersive program in the festival’s history.

“It’s a really bold theme and is a response to the broader national and statewide conversation around the Voice to Parliament and Path to Treaty,” Ms Lane said.

“It allows for First Nations people of Queensland to participate in CIAF and respond to the theme and allows for a response which is as diverse as the many first nations that make up our country, nations and clans.”

Grace Miller, Ziva Osborne, Elverina Johnson, Tiarna-Rae Mills and Francoise Lane. Picture: Nuno Avendano

Ms Lane said the fair would be a celebration of the ancient Indigenous culture expressed in contemporary and traditional ways, through a variety of workshops and exhibitions.

“In the past there’s been wonderful, engaging workshops where visitors can do readings and children's programs and painting,” she said.

Ms Lane said this year CIAF had inviting other Indigenous organisations to do public programming such as run children’s programs.

“Parents and children can come in and participate in these activities with culture and country in mind,” she said.

“There will be cultural exchange and sharing as well as performance and dance workshops being offered as part of our free workshops this year.”

The fair will also include musical performances by acclaimed Indigenous artists Emma Donovan and the Putbacks, the Marliya Choir and a fashion performance by upcoming Indigenous designers.

Tickets are available on the CIAF Central Hub on Shields Street and online.

Originally published as CIAF launches biggest, most culturally immersive festival in its history