BLUE FRINGE
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.
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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.
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“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.”
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The Blue Fringe Arts and Literature Festival welcomes entries by young people and adults in the following categories:
art, photography, short stories, poetry, sculpture and textiles.
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The Blue Fringe Art & Literature Youth Categories are open to anyone of High School age in celebration of mental well-being and resilience.
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 and Bendigo Bank have been a long time supporters of the Festival and recognise 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 and a very committed and passionate team of wonderful volunteers.
