Junction Presents This Weekend in Launceston

Media release – Junction Arts Festival, 5 May 2022 ‘

 6-8 MAY 2022

Junction Arts Festival will host its inaugural taster event Junction Presents this weekend with a host of inspiring and intimate events around Launceston, a feast for all the senses.

Junction Presents, announced earlier this year, comprises four unique, much-loved Junction events: Tamar Valley Feast, Backyard Bands, Open House Launceston and Soliloquy.

While several shows have sold out, a handful of tickets are still available via the Junction Arts Festival website. Everyone can get along to Soliloquy, a free event returning to Junction for its third instalment. The project has been a festival favourite when presented previously.

Each night, Chalmers Church on the corner of St John and Frederick Streets will form the canvas for Soliloquy: storytelling works by young Tasmanian artists featuring light, sound + projection, presented by RANT Arts and Walker Designs.

Audiences are invited to stand in awe and experience the stunning large scale digital projections onto the historic facade of Chalmers Church. Featuring 5 minute acts created by young Tasmanian artists aged 18-25, this multi-artform visual project combines digital art, sound, projection, literary narrative and spoken word.

The project has been in development for some time, with mentor Jim Coad travelling from Melbourne to mentor young Tasmanian artists to develop and create the artwork. Coad is a renowned projection and community arts and cultural development artist, who specialises in using digital technology to re-imagine public spaces through drawing, photography, painting, movement, light and sound.

‘This is a special project that brings an iconic Launceston landmark to life,’ said Mr Coad. ‘Collaborating and creating with such an amazing group of young artists has been an incredible journey.’

Tasmanian artists Willow Robson, Ben Barwick, Indea Quinn, Amelia Pond and Nathan Whittle will showcase their stories through Soliloquy this weekend. The artists have been working and waiting since 2021 to present this piece of work, with the event being cancelled last year due to border closures.

Dave Mangenner Gough, Chairperson of RANT Arts, said, ‘the talents and passions of these young artists is something special to behold, and Soliloquy is something that we hope will delight viewers.’

Limited tickets are still available for Junction Presents events, including:

Friday 6 May 8:30PM The National Theatre featuring Andrew Morrish

Friday 6 May 9:30PM The National Theatre featuring Emily Sanzaro, Carmencita Palermo and Georgia Shine

Saturday 7 May 5PM Tamar Valley Feast

Sunday 8 May 1:30PM Jackson Ford Showroom featuring Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra String Quintet + Yyan & Emily with Whisky Tasting from Adams Distillery