PUBLIC PROGRAMS + SATELLITE EVENTS
Keanu Nelson performing at the Desert Mob 2024 Official Opening. Photo by Sara Maiorino
Araluen cultural PRECINCT +
venueS across MPARNTWE
Discover the story behind the art through Desert Mob’s expanded program of events. Complementing the 2025 exhibition, Desert Mob invites you to meet the artists, hear their stories and join them on Arrernte Country for a set of experiences like no other.
OFFICIAL OPENING
ARALUEN ART CENTRE
GALLERIES + PRECINCT
Thurs 11 September 5PM – 8:30PM
Exhibition Preview from 5PM
FREE EVENT
Join us for the launch of Desert Mob 2025! Be among the first to see the Desert Mob Exhibition at the Exhibition Preview and enjoy the opportunity to view works by hundreds of desert artists before the exhibition goes live online.
As the sun sets, Desert Mob 2025 will be officially opened by Wendy Nungarrayi Brown, chairperson of Warlukurlangu Artists, to mark the 40th anniversary of the art centre. Continue the celebration of Desert Mob under the stars to the sounds of the legendary Warren H Williams and Family band!
Auslan interpreted event
Images:
L-R Adrian Jangala Robertson and Billy Kenda of Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists in front of their art centre’s works at Desert Mob Opening, 2024. Photo by Sara Maiorino, courtesy of Desart
Desert Mob Opening, 2024. Photo by Sara Maiorino, courtesy of Desart
PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Sgraffito Demonstration
with Ernabella Arts
Saturday 13 September,
10:30AM – 12:30PM
Central Craft Studio
MARKETPLACE – FREE EVENT
The artists of Ernabella Arts return to mesmerise us with a live ceramics demonstration, applying their walka (design) to ceramic vessels using the sgraffito technique. Ernabella Arts has a distinguished history as Australia’s longest running Aboriginal art centre and the art centre’s renowned ceramic studio was established just over two decades ago. This event offers a chance to talk with Ngunytjima Carroll, Elizabeth Dunn, Ann Nginyangka Thompson and Derek Thompson, as each depicts their Tjukurpa and connection to country and culture using sgraffito.
Image: Anne Nginyangka Thompson of Ernabella Arts at the Desert Mob sgraffito demonstration, 2024. Photo by Sara Maiorino, courtesy of Desart
Soft sculpture Workshop
with Yarrenyty Arltere Artists
Saturday 13 September
11AM – 1PM
Araluen Arts Centre Foyer
MARKETPLACE – Free Event
Returning by popular demand! Yarrenyty Arltere Artists are upcycling alchemists, transforming simple materials into extraordinary soft sculptures that are at once whimsical and celebratory, engaging, and educative. This colourful and creative workshop offers an opportunity to sit with and learn from acclaimed artists Marlene Rubuntja, Vanessa Splinter, Rosabella Ryder and Rhonda Sharpe and sew with creativity and joy on country.
Materials provided but limited
Image: Participants at the Desert Mob soft sculpture workshop with Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, 2024. Photo by Sara Maiorino, courtesy of Desart
Ceramics WORKSHOP
with Hermannsburg Potters
Saturday 13 September,
11:30AM – 1:30PM +
Sunday 8 September, 10AM – 12PM
Central Craft Studio –
ARALUEN CULTURAL PRECINCT
TICKETED EVENT
Desert Mob presents a rare chance to join Anita Mbitjana Ratara, Hayley Panangka Coulthard and Beth Mbitjana Inkamala, of the renowned Hermannsburg Potters collective, for a two-day ceramics workshop and a special screening of their new animation Antala-iperra (Weather). Over two sessions, you will learn the processes involved in creating their iconic hand-crafted pots. On day one you’ll make your own pot and (after it dries overnight) return on day two to decorate it. Experience stories of country, culture and community – and create your own story in clay.
All materials provided
Image: (L-R) Hayley Panangka Coulthard, Alizha Panangka Coulthard and Beth Mbitjana Inkamala at the ceramics workshop during Desert Mob Marketplace, 2024. Photo by Sara Maiorino, courtesy of Desart
After Dark
Art, talks, food + music
Wednesday 8 October, 6PM – 9:30PM
Yaye’s Cafe +
Araluen Art Centre galleries
TICKETED EVENT
“Food is a great way of introducing country to people.” – Rayleen Brown
Desert Mob After Dark is a special evening of art, food and music on the Araluen Cultural Precinct to celebrate Desert Mob 2025. The Araluen Galleries will open after hours for an exclusive viewing of the Desert Mob 2025 exhibition and talk by Desert Mob curators Hetti Perkins and Aspen Beattie.
Enjoy a delicious alfresco dinner incorporating bush foods designed and presented by Kungkas Can Cook co-founder Rayleen Brown, in collaboration with our friends at Yaye’s Cafe. Rayleen has a vast knowledge of bush foods and flavours from Central Australia and a passion for sharing them.
Images:
Curator Floortalk by Hetti Perkins and Aspen Beattie at Desert Mob After Dark, 2024. Photo by Sara Maiorino, courtesy of Desart
Rayleen Brown of Kungkas Can Cook at Desert Mob After Dark, 2024. Photo by Sara Maiorino, courtesy of Desart
SATELLITE EVENTS
Yarltiri Wayla
(White Mud)
PUrple house
Opening: Wednesday 10 September, 11AM
Exhibition Dates: 10 – 19 September
10AM – 2PM weekdays
Purple House: 15 Lindsay Ave, East Side
Yantarni-li nyanja-ku yarltiri wayla kuja-rnalu ngurru manu (Come along to see our white mud that we are making)
‘We are all happy and helping each other. When we do ceramics it’s out of white clay and in my language, it’s called yarltiri walya.‘ – Serena Shannon
Yarltiri wayla is an exhibition of ceramics by Purple House patients. This special exhibition opens with a celebration with the artists in our East Side shop and garden, where their ceramics will be displayed across the indoor and outdoor site. And, everything is for sale!
Image: Julie Gordon, Tea Pot, ink on cotton, 2025. Concept drawing for Yarltiri wayla. Courtesy of Purple House.
Tangentyere Artists: 20 Years Strong
Tangentyere Artists +
Yarrenyty Arltere Artists
Opening: Wednesday 10 Sept, 12 – 4pm
Exhibition dates: 10 Sept – 1 Nov
Tangentyere Artists: 16 Fogarty St,
Ciccone
Join us for the opening of Tangentyere Artists: 20 Years Strong— a vibrant retrospective celebrating two decades of creativity from Town Camp artists in Mparntwe/Alice Springs. This event will be partnered with a Magpie Goose pop-up, showcasing the exclusive Ewyenper Atwatye x Magpie Goose collection. Celebrate with us through art, music, and food at the opening event on Wednesday, 10 September, from 12-4pm with the exhibition continuing until 1 November.
Image: Coralie Williams 2025, Ration Days, synthetic polymer on linen, 61 x 91 cm. Courtesy of Tangentyere Artists
Ewyenper Atwatye x Magpie Goose Pop-up
Ewyenper Atwatye of Town Camp Designs and Magpie Goose
Pop-up times: Wed 10 September, 12 – 4pm
Thurs 11 Sept & Sat 13 Sept, 11am – 4pm
Tangentyere Artists: 16 Fogarty St,
Ciccone
‘Hidden Valley is the English name for the town camp. Ewyenper is the spearwood tree on the hills and Atwatye means gap because the camp is between two hills.’ –
Tim McNamara
Ewyenper Atwatye is the Central Arrernte place name for Hidden Valley, based in Mparntwe / Alice Springs.
Proudly Aboriginal owned and led, Magpie Goose is where fashion and social impact comes together. At the heart of what Magpie Goose does is a desire to tell stories and provide a platform for artists and their communities.
Image: Loretta Neil wearing her Arlepe (Prickly Wattle), Tim McNamara wearing Marita McMillan’s Antherrtye (Ranges), Carol Young wearing Janelle Driver’s Apere (River Red Gum) and Cassandra Neil wearing Christopher McMillan’s Inarlenge (Echidna) designs. Photo by Sara Maiorino. Courtesy Magpie Goose and Tangentyere Artists
Kuwarritjanu puurta palyinyi: painting in the footsteps
Papunya Tula Artists
Opening: Friday 12 September, 6pm
Exhibition dates: 12 – 27 September
Papunya Tula Artists: 63 Todd Mall,
Alice Springs
Papunya Tula Artists takes great pleasure in presenting our annual exhibition. This year’s offering showcases a curated selection of the best new works by Papunya Tula’s finest emerging and senior artists, from the Walungurru (Kintore) and Kiwirrkura communities. As well as showcasing the very best contemporary works, the exhibition pays tribute to some of the company’s past renowned artists, with an exclusive selection of never-before-seen archival works available to view and purchase.
Image: Nyilyari Tjapangati, Untitled 2025, synthetic polymer paint on linen, 153 x 122 cm. Photo by Francis MacIndoe, courtesy of Papunya Tula Artists
Nyinnga
Spinifex Arts Project +
8 HELE GALLERY
+
Goolou & Juwari | Peter & The Devil Devil Spirit
Warmun Art Centre +
8 Hele Gallery
Opening: Saturday 13 September, 4pm
Exhibition dates: 13 Sept – 4 Oct
8 Hele Gallery: 8 Hele Cres, Ciccone
Spinifex Arts Project presents the group show Nyinnga, created in the fog of a Tjuntjuntjara winter. Nyinnga refers to the cold times in Spinifex Country with frosty mornings, cool days and clear blue skies. In this show, the colours accentuating each painting emulate the relief for Spinifex people and the landscape after a gruelling summer. Bright and raw, each work captures the ethereal beauty of nyinnga.
Peter Thomas (Goolou) is an emerging artist and cultural leader, whose work is grounded in Gija traditions exploring two-way healing, and the spiritual connection between his people, their stories, and the land. Using ochre sourced from Gija Country his art features cave imagery, his late mother’s stories, and Juwari—the ancestral Devil Devil Spirit. Juwari is an ancestral spirit that embodies the energy that shapes the land, weather, seasons, and sustains all life.
Images:
Ned Grant in the Spinifex Arts Project studio in Tjuntjuntjara. Courtesy of Spinifex Arts Project and 8 Hele Gallery
Peter Thomas, Juwari – The Devil Devil Spirit, ochre on canvas, 100 x 90 cm. Courtesy of Warmun Art Centre and 8 Hele Gallery
Thipe-akerte
(About Birds):
Works by the late Theresa Ryder and family
WATCH THIS SPACE
Opening: Saturday 13 September, 6pm
Exhibition dates: 13 Sept – 4 Oct
Watch This Space: 8 Gap Rd, The Gap
Thipe-akerte celebrates the life and work of Theresa Ryder, an esteemed Eastern Arrernte artist, writer, educator, linguist and cultural leader from Ltyentye Apurte. This exhibition features the original artworks and cultural teachings from her book Ayeye thipe-akerte: Arrernte stories about birds, and works by her family, including sculptures by Harry Hayes and paintings by Marie Ryder. Before her passing in 2023, Theresa expressed the wish to exhibit these works, and continue her legacy of strengthening Arrernte language, culture and connection to Country.
Image: Theresa Ryder (dec), Nyingke zebra finch, 2016, watercolour on paper, 29.7 x 42 cm. Courtesy of Watch This Space
Bindi Magic
Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists
Opening: Sunday 14 Sept, 10AM – 1PM
Exhibition dates: 15 Sept – 10 Oct,
Mon to Fri, 9am – 4pm
Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists:
47 Elder St, Ciccone
Bindi Magic is an annual exhibition showcasing the art of the Bindi Mwerre Anthurre artists. The studio was established in 2000 by Aboriginal artists living with disabilities. Bindi Mwerre Anthurre art portrays the essence, beauty, and humour of Central Australia. Each artwork reflects the life and surrounds of the region as seen, known, and loved by the artists. Officially opened by Rebekah Raymond, Curator, Aboriginal Art and Material Culture, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
Image: Billy Kenda, Family Travellin’ 2025, stoneware with underglaze, 40 x 13.5 cm. Courtesy of Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists
