First Night Art Party

Newcastle Art Gallery is taking over Laman Street on Friday 25 September for the First Night Art Party, a street party that's part of the gallery's opening weekend celebrations. It's a big moment for the place: the venue has just gone through a landmark expansion, and the party marks the debut of Iconic Loved Unexpected, a major exhibition that spans two levels and brings together close to 500 works by local, national and international artists from the early nineteenth century to today.

Outside, Laman Street becomes a temporary sculpture park created by local artists, with interactive family spaces, roving performances, live music, DJs, food trucks, a pop-up bar and lighting installations. Inside, the night gathers three female artists: South Australian singer-songwriter Aleksiah, who plays soulful pop; Djanaba, a proud Bundjalung woman; and Ngaiire, who fuses electronic, neo-soul, gospel and big pop.

The evening also opens Muse, the first major survey of Newcastle-based artist Angela Tiatia, which brings together 20 years of video, photography and installation. There are First Nations-led weaving and art-making workshops by Speaking in Colour running alongside. The whole thing is funded by the NSW Government through the Vibrant Open Streets Program and a Multicultural NSW Stronger Together grant.

It runs from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Newcastle Art Gallery on Laman Street, and entry is free.