A Grand Old Mansion, 120 Makers and One Very Big Creative Takeover: Make Way For Manor Made Festival

The grand bluestone halls of Barwon Park Mansion will trade quiet grandeur for a riot of colour, craft and creativity as Victoria’s makers, artists and storytellers take over one of the Surf Coast’s most treasured heritage spaces.

There is a certain magic that settles over Barwon Park Mansion when the doors open. The grand bluestone estate rises from the Winchelsea landscape with a subdued confidence, its towers, timber floors and sweeping rooms carrying the echoes of another era. Built in 1869, this remarkable 42-room homestead has held onto stories of pastoral life, ambition, family and change for more than 150 years. The walls have seen grand gatherings, soft moments and countless footsteps pass through their halls.

This winter, the old house gets a fresh spark as artists, makers and storytellers breathe new energy into every corner of the historic property. For one special day, Barwon Park becomes a playground of creativity, where heritage houses handmade.

Manor Made Arts Festival 2026

When: Saturday 1 August 2026, 10am–4pm
Where: Barwon Park Mansion, 105 Inverleigh Road, Winchelsea VIC 3241
Cost: Free entry, all ages welcome
Find more information here: www.manormade.art

Keep up to date with all things arts, exhibitions and stage here.

 

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On Saturday 1 August 2026, Barwon Park Mansion will welcome visitors for Manor Made Festival, a free celebration of contemporary craft, art and storytelling running from 10am to 4pm. As a signature event of the Surf Coast Arts Trail 2026, the festival is presented by The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and The Rose Street Artists’ Market, bringing together two organisations passionate about preserving stories and championing creative talent.

With the tagline “Old House, New Tricks”, Manor Made transforms the estate into a vibrant creative hub across the mansion, stables, wool sheds and surrounding grounds. The festival celebrates the beauty of making, from traditional skills passed through generations to fresh ideas pushing contemporary art forward.

Inside the mansion, visitors will discover ‘Wayngurrla’ – To Make Good, a powerful exhibition by celebrated Wadawurrung artist Aunty Marlene Gilson OAM. The exhibition takes its name from the Wadawurrung word meaning “to make good” and offers a meaningful exploration of First Nations storytelling, memory and connection to Country. Through her distinctive paintings, Aunty Marlene re-examines Australian colonial history through a Wadawurrung lens, creating an important dialogue with the stories embedded within Barwon Park itself.

The festival’s visual arts program continues in the bluestone Hall with the return of the Quiet Riot Small Works Art Prize, an annual showcase that has become a highlight of the region’s contemporary art calendar. The 2026 theme, ‘Heirloom’, invites artists to reflect on what is carried forward through time. The works explore the objects, traditions and memories we inherit, from treasured family keepsakes to histories that are more complex and difficult to hold. The winner will be announced during the festival, with the full finalist exhibition open for visitors throughout the day.

 

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New to Manor Made in 2026, the historic wool sheds will become the setting for an immersive projection installation by acclaimed Mount Duneed artist Matt Bonner. Known for transforming architectural spaces through light, animation and sound, Matt has created site-specific works for locations including the National Wool Museum and White Night Geelong, as well as previous installations at Barwon Park.

His latest work, ‘The Shearing Shadows’, invites visitors into the atmosphere of a working shearing shed. Projections of sheep and shearer silhouettes will move across suspended fabric surfaces, accompanied by an authentic soundscape of wool production. The installation captures the rhythm, labour and memory of an industry that has shaped much of regional Victoria’s history, creating a sensory experience where the past is brought vividly into the present.

Beyond the mansion walls, the grounds will become a bustling makers market featuring up to 120 artists, designers and producers from across regional Victoria. Expect a treasure trove of handmade finds, from ceramics and textiles to jewellery, prints, woodwork, photography, homewares and small-batch food and beverages. With a focus on makers from the Surf Coast, Bellarine and Greater Geelong communities, the market celebrates the incredible creative talent flourishing throughout the region.

Manor Made is designed as a full day out for curious minds of all ages. Alongside the exhibitions and market stalls, visitors can enjoy food trucks, children’s art activities and mansion tours, creating plenty of opportunities to explore, create and connect.

The festival arrives at a time when audiences are searching for experiences that feel authentic, local and full of character. Manor Made offers exactly that: a chance to wander through a historic estate, meet the makers behind the work, discover new artists and experience a place with a story of its own.

This winter, Barwon Park Mansion opens its doors to a new chapter. The history remains, the craftsmanship continues but the old house is ready for a few new tricks.

To discover more about Manor Made Festival and plan your day, head here.