Celebrating the creativity of people with a lived experience of mental illness & the benefits of creativity for mental wellbeing & resilience.
Belong Blue Mountains is very proud to be an organising partner of the The Blue Fringe Arts & Literature Festival which has become a significant fixture on the Blue Mountains community events calendar over the last 30 years. Held in October each year to coincide with Mental Health Month, Blue Fringe celebrates and acknowledges the creativity of people with a lived experience of mental illness.
Through its life, Blue Fringe has showcased the talents of thousands of poets, artists, photographers and story tellers. For many, it is the first time they have shared their work publicly and for some the experience is life changing.
“Blue Fringe is an opportunity to be heard, to be seen. It opens up conversations. It brings mental illness out of the darkness and into the light.”
BLUE FRINGE 2022
The Blue Fringe 2022 Art & Literature Festival will open for applications from August 1st to September 1st. All applications must be submitted online.
The festival will include a Youth and Adult category for
Blue Fringe Art & Literature General Entry is open to people aged
18 & over with a lived experience of mental illness.
The Blue Fringe Art & Literature Youth Entry is open to anyone of High School age in celebration of mental well-being and resilience.
BLUE FRINGE 2020 VIRTUAL GALLERY
Although our interactive virtual exhibition of Blue Fringe 2020 is now closed, you can still view the in the video below. You can also see all art with artist details and statements, as well as all literature entries in our virtual book below.
BLUE FRINGE 2020 VIRTUAL BOOK
For best viewing click the full screen button below the book.
THE BLUE FRINGE 2020 AWARDS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED!
Congratulations to everyone who entered Blue Fringe 2020 and thank you for opening your hearts and sharing your stories with us. Special thanks to all of our wonderful presenters and judges for your generosity, enthusiasm and profound words of support and praise.
AWARDS OPENING & LITERATURE AWARDS
SCULPTURE AWARDS
MAURICE BRADY AWARDS
PHOTOGRAPHY, ART & TEXTILE AWARDS
YOUTH AWARDS & OVERALL ART AWARD
PEOPLE'S CHOICE & ARTIST'S CHOICE AWARDS
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE 2020 AWARD RECIPIENTS
With thanks & gratitude to the wonderful supporters & sponsors of Blue Fringe
The festival would not have been possible without the support of many generous local people and businesses over the years. The Blue Mountains City Council has also been a long time supporter of the Festival and recognises the important cultural role the event plays in our community and in generating positive conversations around mental health.
The Organising Committee for Blue Fringe is made up of workers from Springwood Neighbourhood Centre, Belong Blue Mountains, Stride and Blue Mountains Women’s Health and Resource Centre and a very committed and passionate team of wonderful volunteers.
