There’s more to the Brisbane Festival than a nightly light show and famous fireworks.

This year, some of the best festival events are small, local art exhibitions.

Rebecca Gillies reports.

TRANSCRIPT

“Art from the Margins” displays artwork from artists experiencing disadvantage and social isolation.

These artists often find it difficult to display their work in public places, or have trouble engaging with the wider community.

They’ve found an audience with the Brisbane Festival with shows at Albert Street Uniting Church, St Andrews and the Brisbane Institute of Art.

Anthony Anderton, Art from the Margins Manager: “Through their creativity they get a chance to voice their feelings, express themselves and engage.”

Christopher McNamara is a local artist whose work is being exhibited in this show.

He says the exposure and community engagement is what motivated him to enter.

Christopher McNamara, Local Artist: “I think it’s a great gap for people who are struggling in life and want to communicate with society.”

Another local exhibition which aims to engage with the community can be found at QUT.

The parade ground at QUT’s Creative Industries Precinct has been transformed with an array of theatre from cabaret to finger puppetry.

With another two weeks until Brisbane Festival wraps up, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the very best art of all kinds that Brisbane has to offer.

For more details on local events, see the Brisbane Festival website.

Rebecca Gillies, QUT News.