https://storyartsfestival.com
StoryArts Festival Ipswich 1995 – 2024
The biennial Story Arts Festival Ipswich began as the Ipswich Festival of Children’s Literature in 1995, providing FREE sessions for children and families.
The festival aims to increase awareness of the value of the arts in relation to writing and illustration, and help build and maintain increased audiences for children’s literature. We plan to inspire young people to read more and gain an appreciation of the processes involved in writing and illustrating. We also aim to enthuse teachers and parents about the value of stories and encourage them to promote literature to young people. We aim to support emerging authors and illustrators.
The festival is organized by the Ipswich District Teacher-Librarian Network This program is supported by Ipswich Libraries and sponsored by Ipswich City Council though Ipswich Festivals.
The festival will be officially opened on Sunday 4 August at the Ipswich Community Gallery, where there will be an exhibition of illustration by four festival illustrators alongside an exhibition of art created by local students in response to the Book Week theme, ‘Reading is magic’, and the art of the four illustrators. The exhibition is open until Sunday 18 August.
Adult Program
The adult program is designed for teachers, teacher-librarians, librarians, emerging writers and illustrators, readers, or anyone else with an interest in children’s literature. It is an opportunity to mingle with the writers and illustrators on an informal basis. Sessions will include panels, demonstrations and talks The conference will be a single program with no concurrent sessions. The Saturday night dinner will include an additional panel and entertainment by the authors.
Venue
Woodlands of Marburg 174 Seminary Road, Marburg QLD 4346
Woodlands of Marburg is at the end of Seminary Road, Marburg, off the Warrego Highway. It is 45 minutes from Brisbane and Toowoomba and 15 minutes from Ipswich. There is no public transport to Woodlands of Marburg. We use Airport West to get from the airport to Woodlands of Marburg or catch a taxi or uber from the station.
Accommodation
Woodlands of Marburg has limited accommodation. Economy accommodation in Bunya House is $99/night for one night, or $89/night if staying multiple nights. All deluxe rooms have been booked out for our presenters. There are different configurations in the economy rooms in Bunya House, including family rooms. Some have shared bathrooms so if staying with a friend, book adjoining rooms so you know who you are sharing with.
To book accommodation, phone Woodlands on 07 5464 4777 or email enquiries@woodlandsofmarburg.com. Tell them you are coming to the conference as a delegate and let them know whether you wish to stay one or two nights. If staying Friday night, you can either dine out, e.g. at the Marburg Hotel, or join the book creators for dinner at Woodlands. You will need to book your own place at Woodlands for this and pay separately. Also book for breakfast Saturday if required.
Discover Ipswich can provide options for other city accommodation.
Bookshop
A Lot of Books will be set up at Woodlands of Marburg.
Bookings
Booking can be made online here: https://www.trybooking.com/CSPCA
You will be able to book for the Saturday program 8:45am – 5.25pm, the Sunday program 9:00am – 3.15pm, or the Saturday evening program from 6.30pm. Each program is booked separately. Book for both days and make a weekend of it!
Presenters
Tanya Batt (NZ), Peter Forster (NZ), Tony Flowers (TAS), George Ivanoff (VIC), Katrina Nannestad (VIC), Mark Greenwood (WA), Frané Lessac (WA), Peter Cheong (WA), Joel McKerrow (NSW), Sarah Davis (NSW), Mick Elliott (NSW), Louise Park (NSW), Vicki Bennett (QLD), Debbie Taylor Worley (QLD), Des Crump (QLD), Trevor Fourmile (QLD)
More information about the presenters: https://www.storyartsfestival.com/about/presenters/
StoryArts Festival Ipswich Adult Program
DAY 1 | Saturday 10 August
8:00 Registration | Tea and Coffee
8:45 Welcome and Official Conference Opening – Michelle Witheyman-Crump
9:00 Every Family Has a Story – Katrina Nannestad (Intro: Michelle Witheyman-Crump)
Interested in writing a family history? Take note of this: We don't have to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth to record our family stories and honour our loved ones. Katrina will talk about the real family stories that inspired her latest historical novel, Silver Linings, and the delights and challenges of using our families as story fodder.
9:40 Panel: The Importance of Historical Fiction in a Technological World – Katrina Nannestad, Mark Greenwood, Louise Park
(Chair: Michelle Witheyman-Crump)
10:45 Morning Tea | Book Signing
11.20 Silent Echoes: The Wisdom of Deep Listening – Joel McKerrow (Intro: Mel Kroeger) I was not taught how to listen well. In fact, I think few of us were. But what if learning how to listen well to others, to ourselves and to the world around us, is actually the very foundation for a thriving creative practice? The Deep Listening I have learnt over many years of being a poet is now invaluable to all that I do in the creative world. In this session we will explore the five levels of Deep Listening and learn how they might shape our creative process.
11:55 Panel: Humour – Mick Elliott, George Ivanoff, Joel McKerrow, Tanya Batt (Participating Chair: Annaleise Byrd)
12:40 Traditional? Digital? Why Not BOTH! – Sarah Davis (Intro: Lara Cain-Gray) What if you’re in love with paint and pencil on paper but also crave the flexibility of Photoshop and the magical CTRL-Z command? lllustrator and art director Sarah Davis shows how to have the best of both worlds and find your unique style by creatively combining traditional and digital techniques.
1:15 Lunch | Book Signing
2:15 Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction –MarkGreenwoodandFrané Lessac (Intro: Lara Cain-Gray) It’s an exciting time in the nonfiction children’s book world, and parents, teachers and young readers are seeking more of it. A true story can inspire, teach and enthrall, and has the same page-turning momentum as great fiction. Join Mark and Frané as they explore the collaborative process of creating non-fiction picture books – from the origins and inspirations for ideas, the process of research that helps balance creative interpretation with historical authenticity.
3:00 Artist in Action – Frané Lessac
3:15 Afternoon Tea | Book Signing
3:50 The Problem with Boys and Books – Mick Elliott (Intro: Annaleise Byrd)
Bestselling Australian author, illustrator and kids’ TV Producer Mick Elliott has made a career of entertaining boys (and girls) with his much-loved, comedic series THE TURNERS and SQUIDGE DIBLEY. In this session, Mick explores the quandary we face with boys and books in the age of Minecraft and Fortnite and reveals the secrets he learnt about engaging kids during his two decades as a kids’ TV producer at Nickelodeon.
4:25 Artist in Action – Peter Cheong
4:45 The Journey of an Author-Illustrated Picture Book – Peter Cheong (Intro: Zewlan Moor) Have you ever wondered how a Picture Book gets made? From first ideas, revising it with an agent, going through the gauntlet of submission, getting a contract, to working with editors and designers to form the final product. Peter Cheong will take you through the journey of creating Every Night at Midnight from a few words in his head, to the book it is today.
5:25 Book Signing
Saturday Evening
6:30 Pre-Dinner Drinks
Panel: Stories from SAFIs Past – various presenters (Chair: Josie Montano)
7:15 Dinner | Theme: Reading is Magic (Emcee: Josie Montano. Entertainment by some of the SAFI stars.)
StoryArts Festival Ipswich Adult Program
DAY 2 | Sunday 11 August
8:00 Registration | Tea and Coffee
9:00 Storytelling in the 21st century – Tanya Batt (Intro: Karen Stokes)
Join storyteller, arts educator and author Tanya Batt as she shares her life’s experience of storytelling – as a child who loved stories through to an adult who has made her living through storytelling for more than thirty years. This presentation will weave together the practical and the philosophical aspects of the art of storytelling and story making tackling questions such as:
In this age of technology and AI what are the values of storytelling?
How can storytelling develop emotional intelligence and problem-solving skills? How does oral language strengthen other areas of learning?
How does storytelling build relationships and create resilience in this ever-changing world?
9:40 Creative or Narrative Nonfiction – The Magic of Breathing Great Storytelling into Facts and Data – Louise Park (Intro: Michelle Witheyman-Crump)
A compelling story is what makes us remember and internalise the facts. Stories are at the root of our ability to communicate and understand what’s going on around us. But how do we do it while staying true to the truth? And what elements make this genre the king of the nonfiction world? This session is for teachers, librarians and writers wanting to learn more about the narrative nonfiction genre.
10:30 Cultural Storytelling – Trevor Fourmile (Intro: Michelle Witheyman-Crump)
Cultural storytelling is a powerful means of preserving heritage, sharing experiences and fostering understanding. In this session Trevor will show how he crafts narratives that resonate with audiences while also gaining a deeper appreciation for the richness and diversity of First Nations peoples.
11:00 Morning Tea | Book Signing
11:30 Capturing and Keeping the Attention of Reluctant Readers – George Ivanoff (Intro: Michelle Witheyman-Crump)
As a one-time reluctant reader who eventually transformed into an avid reader, George knows how important it is to spark the interest of reluctant readers. In this session, he explains how he uses humour, action, topics and style in seeking to make his books accessible to reluctant readers.
12:05 Artist in Action – Sarah Davis
12:20 Panel: Sketchbooks – Sarah Davis, Tony Flowers, Peter Cheong (Chair: Lara Cain-Gray)
1:00 Artist in Action – Tony Flowers
1:15 Lunch | Book Signing
1:55 3D Illustration – Tony Flowers (Intro: Lara Cain-Gray)
In this session Tony will talk about the inspiration behind my new 3D drawing technique and demonstrate how it works. With 3D examples from his new graphic novel series, participants can explore the images and discover the joy of the illusions themselves. Tony will show how this technique will be used to build stories and transport readers into the location-based adventures of his graphic novels.
2:35 Panel: Working Collaboratively – Vicki Bennett, Debbie Taylor Worley, Des Crump (Chair: Michelle Witheyman-Crump)
3:15 Conference Close
This program is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland
Accommodation and Venue partner Sponsorship of Lucas Proudfoot & Friends
Supporters
Ipswich District Teacher-Librarian Network Inc, 43 John Street, Rosewood 4340 General enquiries: info@idtl.net.au | Booking enquiries: bookings@storyartsfestival.com