Illuminate Adelaide brightens regional South Australia

Australia’s newest major event is brightening regional South Australia from the river to the coast, with Illuminate Adelaide today unveiling details of its key activities across the state.  

Renmark, Mount Gambier and Victor Harbor will light up as part of three regional installations of Illuminate Adelaide featuring a mix of international, national and local artists.  

It follows the success of regional activations in Illuminate Adelaide’s inaugural year in Mount Gambier and Tumby Bay, when more than 16,000 visitors revelled in the celebration of innovation, art, light, music and technology in 2021.  

The regional presentations are an initiative supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission, in partnership with innovative regional councils and award-winning artists, with the aim to shine a light on South Australia in winter and drive visitation across the state. 

The 2022 Illuminate Adelaide regional program includes: 

• In Depth in Renmark – 3 June to 2 July 

A large-scale multimedia event by Craig Walsh, local artists and community members. With projection, sound and lighting, it will transform the Murray River after dark. 

• Digital Garden in Mount Gambier – 5-21 August 

Shining a light on Mount Gambier, visitors will follow a trail of installations, lighting and projection around the Cave Garden/Thugi. Digital Garden will reimagine the popular local hub with a series works from renowned international companies. A highlight of this project will be an interactive installation by Jen Lewin Studio titled The Pool, a giant field of concentric circles that swirl with light when activated by touch. 

• Harbor Lights in Victor Harbor – 26 August to 11 September 

Audiences will be treated to an array of experiences including the hero project of this event titled Monuments by Craig Walsh. Monuments is site-responsive projection works that have been realised across Australia and internationally. The event will transform Victor Harbor across two weeks with a collection of immersive installations, lighting and mind-blowing light projections within the natural landscape. 

The anticipated presentation of In Depth on the riverbank precinct adjacent to the Renmark Club will come to life with an array of projections, story and sound.  

Australian artist and creative producer Craig Walsh is internationally known for his pioneering approaches to site-responsive installations, sculpture and projection mapping unconventional sites. His works have animated natural and built environments and features such as trees, rivers and mountains, as well as public art projects in urban and architectural space. 

Taking place on Erawirung Country, In Depth includes the Ngurunderi dreaming story and highlights the cultural and spiritual significance of the land and the river to the traditional owners throughout the Murray River system. It is narrated by Ngurunderi man and Riverland local Shane Karpany. 

Mount Gambier’s Cave Garden/ Thugi, located in the heart of the city, will again be transformed by local and international collaborations and immersive experiences. Digital Garden will return after its inaugural year when more than 10,000 visitors flocked to the Limestone Coast city across four weeks.  

Illuminate Adelaide is pleased to be extending the event to the Fleurieu Peninsula, with its new Harbor Lights installation in Victor Harbor from late August.  

For program details, see illuminateadelaide.com 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison: 

Extending major events beyond Adelaide and into regional South Australia is hugely important for local economies and communities.  

We’re thrilled to help bring the magic of Illuminate Adelaide to the Riverland, Limestone Coast and Fleurieu Peninsula. 

This will drive visitation and expenditure into the regions beyond the peak tourism season where we’ve seen record-breaking occupancy rates.   

Quotes attributable to Illuminate Adelaide Co-Founders and Creative Directors, Rachael Azzopardi and Lee Cumberlidge:  

Illuminate Adelaide is committed to programming and presenting a series of satellite events that explore art, light and technology in our regions. 

We are excited to bring In Depth to the Riverland in Renmark. This is a work by Australian artist Craig Walsh and will bring the riverbank to life. 

We are also delighted to facilitate the return of Digital Garden in Mount Gambier and announce a new regional location, Victor Harbor with a project called Harbor Lights.