SA creates nation’s largest open gallery
Unexpected exhibitions, cultural jaunts in the countryside and an extraordinary artist in the spotlight are revealed in the 29th South Australian Living Artists program released today. Read the highlights list.
Today, the 2026 program was released for the 29th South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival, showcasing thousands of artists and exhibitions across the state in August.
More than 11,000 artists will be presenting more than 700 exhibitions and events in galleries, cafes, wineries, libraries, schools and some unexpected spots as the state turns into the nation’s largest open gallery.
“SALA is a real highlight on the South Australian calendar,” Deputy Premier and Arts Minister Kyam Maher said.
“Each year, cafés, workplaces and streets across the state come alive for SALA to celebrate local arts and artists. With such a big program this year, there’s never been a better chance to get involved.”
SALA CEO Bridget Alfred said the festival was a celebration of creativity, community and connection with exceptional South Australian artists at its heart.
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See a list of event highlights below, from new paintings to walking tours and cultural jaunts in the countryside.
Immersive Light and Art (ILA) is hosting a line-up of SALA events
- Matthew Quick’s new exhibition ‘Deaf in One Eye’ has new paintings alongside an immersive animation, inviting you to step inside his earlier painting series. August 6 to August 29.
- SALA Date Night invites partners, friends and siblings to team up for an evening of playful creativity. Designed for duos, the event combines light-hearted challenges, collaborative artmaking and plenty of laughs. August 14.
Other events include:
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- SALA Slide Night, discover what’s on the minds of our South Australian contemporary artists as they share what’s on their mind about their art, interests, or something else entirely. Hosted by Sam Faehrmann and featuring artists Robin Eley, Meg Riley, Charlotte Treloar, Cheryl Bridgart, Shirley Wu, Damien Warman, Niki Sperou, Jake Yang, Orlando Mee, and Juanella Donovan. August 20 at Nexus Arts.
- Artists & Galleries networking event, artist and gallery representatives can hear about opportunities, callouts, programs, workshops, studio spaces, swap business cards, or just put a face to a name. August 18 at Keith Murdoch House.
- SALA’s Guided Walking Tours take you through a selection of exhibitions in the heart of Adelaide, led by expert artist tour guides.
- Street Art Walking Tour, Lucinda Penn leads the Street Art Walking Tour in the CBD, giving insights on mural painting techniques and what might influence an artist’s subject matter, design and colour palettes. August 22.
- Wander & Wonder Walking Tour– Filipina Australian visual artist Alyssa Powell-Ascura leads this guided walking tour. Inspired by the Filipino concept of ‘gala’, which means to ‘roam’ or ‘wander’, discover artwork by culturally diverse artists. August 8.
- Artist-Run Initiative’ Walking Tour– Luna Chen is a local artist and long-term member of FELTspace, and will explore Adelaide’s artist-run initiatives. Discover contemporary, experimental and emerging works. August 15.
- Fire Talks– Dominic Guerrera will host Fire Talks, a critical response yarning circle that uses a simple format to spark audience reflection, meaningful conversation and deeper connections to art. August 8 at Milpinti Indigenous Art Gallery and August 29 at APY Gallery.
- Kent Town Street Art Walk & Talk– Local artist and director of Washdog Studio, Dave Court, leads a walk and talk winding through the alleyways of Kent Town. Hear about artists and artworks that have been created in the area, experience live painting, have lunch and tour the Washdog studio and Fab Workshop. August 29.
SALA Bus Tours take you to the regions:
- Adelaide Hills Bus Tour– A local artist leads a curated journey through the region’s standout SALA experiences, meeting the artists along the way. Highlights include Fabrik Arts & Heritage, Nether Hill Farm, Silvio’s Studio and a stroll around Balhannah. August 15.
- South to Coast Bus Tour– Capture the vibrant spirit of art, food and wine through Strathalbyn, Goolwa, Middleton and Port Elliot. Chat with practising artists in their studios, see inspiring exhibitions and take in breathtaking scenery along the way, including a delicious lunch. August 9.
- Hahndorf to Kanmantoo Bus Tour– Escape the city for a day of art, stories and local discoveries. Hosted by a local artist, this guided SALAFestival tour goes behind the scenes to meet artists, explore studios and experience the region’s vibrant creative community. Visits Jurlique Farm, explores Hahndorf Academy for artist talks and discovers Watermark Crossing Studio, finishing at Hahndorf Hill Winery to view their artworks. August 29.
- Barossa Valley Bus Tour – Travel through one of South Australia’s most iconic regions to visit a curated selection of exhibitions, artist-run spaces and cellar doors, offering a unique perspective on the vibrant creative life of the Barossa. The tour will travel to Tanunda, Lyndoch and Seppeltsfield. August 8.
- Jarvis Škoda Regional Self-Guided Tours provide opportunities to discover SALA exhibitions in the regions with a group or go solo. Via the app and printed program, people can scan the code and uncover tours through the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Encounter Bay, Limestone Coast and Loxton/Waikerie.
- Open Studios Weekend allows people to go behind the scenes, meet the artists and see where the art is created. One week a year, artists around the state open their studio doors and invite the public in. August 15 and 16.
- SALA Up Late creates an opportunity to experience Port Adelaide after dark and to soak up the atmosphere. Wander through the precinct with local artists as guides to discover the creative hub of The Port. Along the way, drop into galleries, retail spaces, bars, breweries and distillery venues, uncovering hidden gems around every corner for a night of creativity and community. The tour wraps up in one of Port Adelaide’s vibrant hospitality venues. August 15.
- Infrared Film and Eco Processing Photography Workshop – local experimental photographer Bryce Kraehenbuehl leads this workshop of analogue fun at Wombat Workshop. This is a beginner-friendly workshop where people will learn about infrared film and what makes it unique, take some photos and develop them using eco-friendly household ingredients, like instant coffee. August 29.
This year, the SALA Festival featured artist is Troy-Anthony Baylis, who works across painting, textiles, installation, and performance.
He is a descendant of the Jawoyn people from the Northern Territory and of Irish ancestry. Baylis’ multi-faceted artistic practice is founded in the process of ‘queering’ and unsettling ‘traditional’ ways of representing Aboriginality.
Baylis will present a new exhibition, ‘Pile-up’, at Adelaide Central Gallery. ‘Pile-up’ combines iconic pieces from his oeuvre, as well as the South Australian premiere of two new significant bodies of work. His work is also at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
As the featured artist for 2026, Baylis will be the focus of a monograph about his practice, authored by local writers Tikari Rigney and Sasha Grbich. The book is produced by Wakefield Press and is an outcome of the SA Living Artist Publication Opportunity, supported by Create SA.
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