Arts trail, grunge gallery, Indigenous desert works; Get to know the artists featured at Castlemaine Fringe Fest 2025

The 2025 festival promises an even more immersive experience with an incredible lineup of exhibitions and open studios, offering visitors a rare chance to explore the inner workings of Castlemaine’s thriving arts scene.

The Castlemaine Fringe Festival is back in 2025 with its most expansive and exciting program to date. With more than 160 ticketed and free events over just two weeks, this vibrant celebration of creativity is set to make its biggest impact yet.

Scroll down for a look at some of the must-see exhibitions and events across the festival’s arts program!

Castlemaine Fringe Festival

• When: Saturday 22 March – Sunday 6 April
• Where: Castlemaine and surrounds, Dja Dja Wurrung Country, VIC

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.

 

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Departure Point: A Dialogue Across Mediums

• March 15 – April 6, 11am – 4pm, Sat & Sun
• Opening Event: Thursday, March 20, 4-6pm
• lot19 Gallery, 19 Mcshanag Rd, Castlemaine

The festival kicks off with Departure Point featuring a dynamic live conversation between four established artists—Melinda Harper, Zoe Amor, Michael Wolfe, and Dale Cox—and raconteur Suzanne Donisthorpe. Together, they will delve into their creative journeys and artistic practices. The exhibition opens on March 15 and includes an opening event on March 20 from 4-6pm, where visitors can engage with the artists in conversation. It’s a fantastic chance to explore a rich variety of artistic expressions and hear firsthand the stories behind the works.

 

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Fringe & Frida: A Luminous Tribute to Frida Kahlo

• March 21 – April 6, 9am – 5pm, seven days a week
• Castlemaine Market Building, Mostyn Street, Castlemaine

One of the most anticipated exhibitions of the festival is Fringe & Frida at the Castlemaine Market Building (Mostyn Street, Castlemaine). This stunning exhibition, which opens on March 21, celebrates the life and work of the iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo through the eyes of over 80 artists from near and far. The exhibition runs daily from 9am to 5pm and will be a feast for the senses with a bar and Mexican food truck available to add to the vibrant atmosphere. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Kahlo’s work or new to her art, this exhibition offers an immersive experience that blends culture, art, and community.

 

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Sir Leslie Thornton: Castlemaine Art Museum’s First Blockbuster

• March 22 – July 27, Thur-Sat 11am – 4pm, Sun 12pm – 4pm
• Opening Event: Saturday, March 22, 2pm
• Castlemaine Art Museum, 14 Lyttleton St, Castlemaine

For those seeking a retrospective of contemporary life in central Victoria, Sir Leslie Thornton at the Castlemaine Art Museum (14 Lyttleton St, Castlemaine) is not to be missed. Running until July 27, this exhibition showcases Thornton’s distinctive style of painting, which captures everyday moments with surrealist humour and an uncanny strangeness. His carefully crafted works offer poignant and sometimes unsettling reflections of life in the region.

Small World Sculpture Prize & Exhibition: Big Ideas in Small Packages

• March 22 – March 30, Sat-Sun 10am – 4pm
  Newstead Arts Hub, 8a Tivey Street, Newstead

At the Newstead Arts Hub (8a Tivey Street, Newstead), the Small World Sculpture Prize & Exhibition (March 22-30) brings together a diverse collection of 3D artworks that focus on the theme of smallness. The exhibition will showcase a variety of sculptures by artists both near and far, inviting viewers to stop, reflect, and consider how small things can inspire big ideas.

The Grunge Gallery: Raw and Unfiltered Art

• March 22 – April 6, Thurs-Sun
• Opening Event: Saturday, March 30
• Red Hill Hotel, 163 Main Road, Chewton VIC

For fans of gritty, raw art, The Grunge Gallery at the Red Hill Hotel (163 Main Road, Chewton VIC) will offer a multi-disciplinary experience that celebrates all things grunge. Open from March 22 to April 6, this exhibition showcases local artists with a raw, unpolished style that reflects the underground and alternative art scenes. The opening event on March 30 promises an unforgettable atmosphere, complete with a performance by local music label “Garden Seat.” This exhibition is a celebration of bold creativity and unapologetic expression, and it’s not to be missed.

 

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Inkwareny Artists of Yuelamu: Indigenous Art from the Heart of the Desert

• March 19 – April 6, Mon-Fri 5pm-late, Sat-Sun 11am-late
• The Albion, 152 Duke Street, Castlemaine

The Inkwareny Artists of Yuelamu exhibition at The Albion (152 Duke Street, Castlemaine) will bring the art of the Anmatyerr people from the Northern Territory to Castlemaine. The name Inkwareny, which means honey ant in Anmatyerr, reflects the deep connection between the artists and their land. The exhibition will feature beautiful works that tell stories of the artists’ country and their Anangkerr (dreaming).  It’s an incredible opportunity to engage with Indigenous art and culture in an intimate setting.

 

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A Festival of Art, Music, and Performance

• March 21 – April 6, times vary
• Various locations throughout Castlemaine

In addition to these captivating exhibitions, the Castlemaine Fringe Festival will host more than 150 performers across three stages. Expect a lively mix of bands, dance acts, live art painting, projections, DJs, and more. The festival will kick off with youth presentations in Mechanics Lane and continue with an impressive lineup of local legends to keep the energy high late into the night. With a Pride Stage in the Community House gardens, a Freeza/all-ages stage in Mechanics Lane, food trucks, bars, and literal dancing in the streets, this year’s festival promises to be an inclusive and dynamic celebration of creativity in all its forms.

The 2025 Castlemaine Fringe Festival is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience. With an incredible range of art exhibitions, performances, and installations, the festival promises to be a highlight of the year for both locals and visitors. Whether you’re interested in contemporary art, sculpture, or raw street culture, Castlemaine’s vibrant arts community is sure to offer something for everyone.

Don’t miss your chance to explore the creative heart of Castlemaine. With more than 160 events to choose from, this is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the eclectic and innovative world of the Castlemaine Fringe Festival.

words by staff writer