At Bleach Festival

For those who can't get enough surf, sand and sun, brace yourself - Bleach* Surfing the Fringe is coming. The Gold Coast's premiere and inaugural Surf Culture Festival will celebrate artistic expression and creativity inspired by surf and beach culture via an eclectic mix of pop up art installations, photography exhibitions, film screenings music, food, theatre and fashion events all targeted to represent the surf lifestyle. Bleach* will descend on the spectacular beaches, foreshores and major venues unique to the Southern Gold Coast from 11- 26 February, 2012, and promises to be a must-visit event. An initiative of Connecting Southern Gold Coast, Bleach* will showcase the work of over thirty local and international artists, including celebrated designer, artist and photographer Claudio Kirac, photographers Ted Grambeau, Shelli Bankier, Peter Joli Wilson Trent Mitchell and Sean Scott and author Tim Baker, with more to be announced.

Louise Bezzina, artistic director of Bleach* says the festival will incorporate more traditional gallery settings like Surf World Gold Coast as well as a series of beachside pop up events liberally scattered across the coast, including art housed in shipping containers, mobile music truck concerts, childrenís theatre performances and workshops, a street party in Currumbin and outdoor projections and cinematic experiences. All the events will be geographically spread out and held over different timeframes, making each event seem small and organic in feel, yet Bleach* will be the largest arts festival in geographic size, scope and duration ever held on the Gold Coast. Despite the Gold Coast being home to many of the world's most iconic surf breaks, it will also be the first time that the Gold Coast has hosted a festival that explores the creative side of surf culture. So it's set to be a really unique experience, and we're expecting a great response, Louise reveals. Bleach* will also be timely, as the two-week celebration will ignite across the Southern Gold Coast's iconic surf spots and entertainment venues while the world spotlight is upon them. Nestled in timeframe between elite surfing events like the Breaka Burleigh Pro, the Kirra Teams Challenge, and the world tour Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro, Bleach* Surfing The Fringe will showcase the coast's surf- inspired arts and culture to countless thousands of international and domestic visitors.

All exhibits have been hand-picked to ensure a standard of workmanship that will impress. We're delighted with the depth of artistic talent we've brought together for Bleach* and it's going to be world class, Louise enthuses. For more information about Bleach*, visit www.bleachfestival.com.au