The 2025 program is now live at salafestival.com, with printed copies available from Saturday 19 July at Foodland supermarkets, SALA venues, civic centres, and visitor information centres throughout South Australia.
Running from 1–31 August, this year’s festival will feature more than 700 exhibitions and events, involving over 10,500 artists, making it Australia’s largest open-access visual arts event.
SALA continues to support artists of all experience levels – from emerging creatives to established professionals – offering them a platform to share their work in a wide range of spaces, from galleries and libraries to cafés, shopfronts and even outdoor installations.
“SALA Festival 2025 is quite literally bursting with artists, exhibitions, events and tours,” said SALA CEO Bridget Alfred.
“There is a great sense of momentum this year as we are seeing a deepening of visual arts practices and connections right across the state. This August, SALA Festival claims South Australia as the nation’s centre for creativity and is there for everyone to participate and enjoy.”
What’s on at the SALA Hub at ILA Light Square
The SALA Hub, located at ILA Light Square, is the festival’s central gathering place, offering two curated exhibitions and a vibrant event line-up.
- Nature: A SALA Roving Exhibition
At the Light Room Bar, this exhibition brings together four artists whose work is inspired by nature — spanning printmaking, moving image, painting, ceramics, and textiles.
In partnership with ILA. - Coffee, Turps & Devotion
This intimate exhibition at The Light Room Gallery features the distinct works of Robert Hannaford and Alison Mitchell Hannaford, two artists who have shared both life and studio space for nearly twenty years.
Presented by Hill Smith Art Advisory.
Highlights from the SALA events calendar
The SALA Hub will also host a variety of special events, including:
- The SALA Forum: Arts in Health – The Gut Feelings Project
22 August – Artist Jake Holmes collaborates with researchers from Flinders University to explore how gut and environmental health influence our wellbeing. - Artists & Galleries Networking Event
12 August – A relaxed meet-up for artists and gallery representatives to connect, discuss opportunities, and share ideas. - It Takes Two Workshop with Dan Withey
21 August – A creative evening of drawing designed for pairs – bring a friend, partner or family member. - SALA Slide Night
14 August – Hosted by Christina Peek, this event showcases the thoughts and creative worlds of South Australian artists including Dameeli Coates, Brenton Drechsler, Frida Las Vegas, and more.
Explore South Australia through art
For those who prefer a more immersive experience, SALA’s popular tours are returning:
- SALA Art Bus & Walking Tours
- Karoonda Silos Tour (9 August) – Includes artist talks, a farm lunch, and a starry night dinner.
- Barossa Light Art Tour (30 August) – Explore Angaston, Tanunda, Lyndoch Lavender Farm and enjoy tastings at Seppeltsfield JamFactory.
- Self-Guided Tours – QR codes in the printed program link to maps and guides for exploring at your own pace.
- Guided Walking Tours
- Street Art Tour with Nicole Black (10 August)
- Local & Contemporary Art Tour with Gregory Ackland (16 August)
- Sketchy Walking Tour with Fran Callen (23 August) – No drawing experience required.
- Persian-Language Art Tour with Farahnaz Ghofrani (23 August)
New for 2025 – Events on 23 August
- Listening (to) Architecture – A guided sound-based walking tour through Adelaide with artist Tom Borgas.
- Fire Talks – A critical response yarning circle encouraging reflection and conversation.
- Stranded Colourwork Knitting Workshop – Led by Makeda Duong, this hands-on session explores multi-colour knitting techniques.
Featured artist: Sue Kneebone
This year’s featured artist is Sue Kneebone, a multidisciplinary artist whose practice explores themes of colonial legacy and cultural memory. With a distinctively Australian gothic aesthetic, Sue’s work is often laced with wry humour and underpinned by deep research.
She will appear at the SALA Forum ‘Unnatural Causes’ at the Adelaide Central School of Art Lecture Theatre on 16 August, alongside writers Elle Freak, James Tylor, Andrew Purvis and Nicole Clift. Her exhibition will also be on display at Adelaide Central Gallery.
Visit salafestival.com or download the SALA app to start planning your festival adventure today.
