# 11,000 artists take over South Australia in August's SALA Festival **Featured** — On Your Markus **Event:** SALA **Tickets:** https://www.salafestival.com/ **Published:** 1 August 2026 **Author:** Markus Hamence **Source:** https://onyourmarkus.au/sala/ The 29th South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival runs throughout August, showcasing work from more than 11,000 artists across more than 700 exhibitions and events statewide. The month-long open-access visual arts festival features exhibitions in cultural institutions, heritage buildings, studios, cafes and regional venues, alongside guided tours, artist talks, workshops and the Open Studios Weekend on 15 and 16 August. --- Today, South Australia’s largest celebration of living visual artists begins, as the 29th South Australian Living Artists (**SALA**) Festival launches a month of creativity, connection and cultural discovery.  Running throughout August, the festival will showcase the work of more than 11,000 artists across more than 700 exhibitions and events, reaffirming South Australia’s reputation as one of Australia’s most vibrant arts destinations.  **SALA** brings people together through art, with opportunities for artists and audiences to connect, exchange ideas and celebrate South Australia’s thriving artistic community.  As Australia’s largest open-access visual arts festival, **SALA** is built on the belief that art belongs everywhere and should be accessible to everyone.  For one month each year South Australia’s artists take centre stage as artworks transform iconic cultural institutions, heritage buildings, country pubs, wineries, libraries, studios and neighbourhood cafes across the state.  The festival brings together artists at every stage of their creative journey, providing a colourful snapshot of South Australia’s visual arts scene. **Deputy Premier and Minister for Arts Kyam Maher** said “**SALA** is a highlight on the South Australian calendar, showcasing the remarkable talent we have in South Australia’s arts community. I’d encourage everyone to take a look at the **SALA** program and app and experience the tours and events on offer throughout August.” **SALA CEO Bridget Alfred** said “Once again **SALA** will see the state come alive during August and celebrate the extraordinary breadth, depth, and vitality of South Australia’s visual arts community. Across the program, you will find opportunities to engage with art in many forms — from exhibitions and artist-led experiences to community art fairs and participatory events. Each contributes to the distinctive cultural life of our state and highlights the value of supporting local artists and the broader creative sector. This festival showcases work that challenges, delights, and inspires. It also reflects the important role the arts play in our wellbeing, in social connection, and in shaping a more vibrant and inclusive cultural future. We have expanded our tours and events and created more opportunities for all South Australians, artists and audiences to come together, to discover, make connections and enjoy the enormous fun of trying something new.” Highlights for this year include: Immersive Light and Art (ILA) will host a fantastic line-up of **SALA** events during the festival including: - - Matthew Quick’s bold new exhibition *‘Deaf in One Eye’*, with new paintings alongside an immersive animation inviting you to step inside his earlier painting series.  Presented by Hill Smith Art Advisory, in association with Immersive Light and Art and Monkeystack. 6 - 29 August *-**** SALA**** Date Night* invites partners, friends and siblings to team up for an evening of playful creativity. Designed for duos, the event combines light-hearted challenges, collaborative artmaking and plenty of laughs. 14 August Other events include: - *-**** SALA ****Slide Night*, discover what’s on the minds of our South Australian contemporary artists when they’re given the microphone to share their thoughts on their art, interests, or something else entirely. This event is a fast-paced snapshot into what South Australian contemporary artists are thinking about. Hosted by Sam Faehrmann and featuring artists Robin Eley, Meg Riley, Charlotte Treloar, Cheryl Bridgart, Shirley Wu, Damien Warman, Niki Sperou, Jake Yang, Orlando Mee, and Juanella Donovan. 20 August at Nexus Arts. *- Artists & Galleries networking event*, where artist and gallery representatives can connect in a relaxed setting.  This is a chance for artists to hear about opportunities, callouts, programs, workshops, studio spaces, swap business cards or just to put a face to a name. Think speed dating for the arts scene! 18 August at Keith Murdoch House. *-**** SALA’s**** Guided Walking Tours* take you through a selection of exhibitions in the heart of Adelaide led by our expert artist tour guides.  - *Street Art Walking Tour* – artist Lucinda Penn will lead the Street Art Walking Tour in the CBD. 22 August - *Wander & Wonder Walking Tour* – Filipina Australian visual artist Alyssa Powell-Ascura leads this guided walking tour. 8 August - *Artist-Run Initiative’ Walking Tour* – Luna Chen is a local artist and long-term member of FELTspace and will be your guide to explore Adelaide’s artist-run initiatives. 15 August - *Fire Talks* – Dominic Guerrera will host Fire Talks, a dynamic critical response yarning circle. 8 August at Milpinti Indigenous Art Gallery and 29 August at APY Gallery. - *Kent Town Street Art Walk & Talk* – Local artist, and director of Washdog Studio, Dave Court will be your guide for a walk and talk winding through the alleyways of Kent Town. 29 August - The ***SALA**** Bus Tours* take you to the regions: - - *Barossa Valley Bus Tour *– Travel through one of South Australia’s most iconic regions as you visit a curated selection of exhibitions, artist-run spaces and cellar doors. The tour will travel to Tanunda, Lyndoch and Seppeltsfield. 8 August - *South to Coast Bus Tour* – Capture the vibrant spirit of art, food and wine through Strathalbyn, Goolwa, Middleton and Port Elliot, including a delicious lunch. 9 August - *Adelaide Hills Bus Tour* – Discover the magic of the Adelaide Hills, with a local artist as your host who will lead you on a curated journey through the region’s standout **SALA** experiences, meet artists along the way and indulge in a sumptuous lunch. 15 August - *Hahndorf to Kanmantoo Bus Tour* – Escape the city for a day of art, stories and local discoveries. Hosted by a local artist this guided **SALA** Festival tour takes you behind the scenes to meet artists, explore studios and experience the region’s vibrant creative community. 29 August *- Jarvis Škoda Regional Self-Guided Tours* are a great way to discover **SALA** exhibitions in the regions with a group or go solo.  Via the app and printed program people can scan the code and uncover tours through the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Encounter Bay, Limestone Coast and Loxton/Waikerie. *- Open Studios Weekend* allows people to go behind the scenes and meet the artists and see where the art is created. One week a year artists around the state open their studio doors and invite the public in. This is a great opportunity to view a working studio, chat with artists and discuss their work in detail. 15 & 16 August. *-**** SALA**** Up Late* invites people to experience Port Adelaide after dark and soak up the atmosphere. Wander through the precinct with local artists as your guides and discover the creative hub of The Port. Along the way, drop into galleries, retail spaces, bars, breweries and distillery venues uncovering hidden gems around every corner for a night of creativity and community. 15 August *- Infrared Film and Eco Processing Photography Workshop* – local experimental photographer Bryce Kraehenbuehl will lead this workshop of analogue fun at Wombat Workshop. 29 August. **SALA Festival** 2026 featured artist is Troy-Anthony Baylis, who works across painting, textiles, installation, and performance.  A descendant of the Jawoyn people from the Northern Territory and of Irish ancestry, Baylis' multi-faceted artistic practice is founded in the process of ‘queering’ and unsettling ‘traditional’ ways of representing Aboriginality.  For this year’s **SALA** Festival, Baylis will present an ambitious new exhibition, *‘Pile-up’*, at Adelaide Central Gallery.  *‘Pile-up’* combines iconic pieces from his oeuvre, as well as the South Australian premiere of two new significant bodies of work.  You’ll also be able to see his work at the Art Gallery of South Australia.  As the featured artist for 2026, Baylis will be the focus of a monograph about his practice, authored by local writers Tikari Rigney and Sasha Grbich.  The book is produced by Wakefield Press and is an outcome of the SA Living Artist Publication Opportunity, supported by Create SA. **SALA’s** Project Artists include Allyson Parsons and Donovan Christie who’s work will appear on the **SALA **Skoda Art cars generously provided by Jarvis Skoda and Visualcom.  Featuring eye-catching artwork across their exterior, the vehicles turn daily journeys into moving exhibitions. Keep an eye out for this year’s **SALA** tote bags at Foodland stores throughout South Australia. Showcasing striking artworks by Henry Cockington, Lisa Khan and Louise Vadasz, they are a great way to support and celebrate South Australian artists wherever you go. Plan your own **SALA** adventure and uncover the artists, stories and creative experiences waiting around every corner.  Visit the **SALA** website or download the app for more details. [www.salafestival.com](http://www.salafestival.com) ![Gallery visitors viewing an eclectic collection of artworks displayed on a white gallery wall.](https://media.onyourmarkus.au/admin/2026/08/153d0657-fb7e-4580-a2b9-d02c814e7c1e.jpg)