Model Joy Etaka styled by designer Sophie Wilson at the Shepparton Festival event Fashion in Shepparton: Sky Stories.
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Photography by Lingy
Shepparton will soon swap winter’s chill for a creative heatwave.
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From August 22 to 24, Shepparton Festival’s Winter Weekend will take over the Shepparton Showgrounds and spill into venues across the city.
The brand-new event blends art, music, workshops and parties — setting the stage for the festival’s 30th anniversary in 2026.
“Winter Weekend aims to keep artists and audiences engaged year-round and build more connections and potential collaborations ahead of our 30th festival,” Shepparton Festival director Kristen Retallick said.
At the heart of the action is the inaugural Regional Art Fair.
The lively marketplace is a nod to last year’s Mini Mart, organised by Mimi Leung and TOPSOIL, bringing together an eclectic group of artists to showcase and sell their work at the McIntosh Centre.
Just as exciting, a special screening will relive a sold-out Shepparton Festival event.
Beneath a dreamlike set design of low-lying faux clouds tinged a cotton-candy pink, models glided down a café catwalk in creations from five of the region’s top fashion designers for Fashion in Shepparton: Sky Stories.
Community members can relive the sold-out show featuring model Ada Rutherford, styled by designer Kadime.
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Photography by Lingy
The show will be brought to the big screen on Saturday, August 23.
It’s a fitting inclusion, with Ms Retallick describing Winter Weekend as “building on the success of past pop-up activations”.
Offerings extend to the Shepparton Art Museum for Bar SAM: Whiteley Art Party and the Shepparton Brewery hosting the Australian Welsh Male Choir.
Of course, no art event is complete without exhibitions.
This includes a preview exhibition unveiling four new paintings from the 2026 Call to Create winners, Amanda Hocking and Creagh Manning.
Other artists are scheduled to host workshops and networking events, such as Meg Doller leading a sustainable art making workshop, Kris Tito facilitating a co-design discussion, and a panel discussing retail and commercial relationships with artists.
Yes, Winter Weekend is packed and promises to turn the city into a warm and vibrant hub — no matter what the weather brings.
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