Nepean Festival of Arts and Design

Dates

• Friday 21 November 2025 6 pm – 9 pm
• Saturday 22 November 2025 10 am – 3 pm

Venue

• Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School Hall

Details

• Light catering for the event will be provided on the Friday night only.
• The 2025 Arts Patron is Dr Leo Robba, Western Sydney University, Associate Dean, Engagement, School of Humanities and Communication Arts, Western Sydney University.
• 2025 feature artist Julie Scifo and the featured street artist Cameron Marbus will be in attendance at the festival.

Tickets

All tickets can be purchased through Trybooking from mid 2025.

• Pricing TBC.

Important dates

• Artist and student entries close Monday 3 November 2025.
• Delivery of student works – Monday 17 November 2025, 9 am – 12 pm, Nepean CAPA High School [115-119 Great Western Highway, Emu Plains, NSW, 2750]
• Delivery of external artists’ works – Tuesday 18 November 2025, 9 am – 12 pm to Nepean CAPA High School [115-119 Great Western Highway, Emu Plains, NSW, 2750]
• Collection of works – Monday 24 November 2025, 8 am – 4 pm.

Saturday art activities

The Saturday workshops for all ages are still being confirmed, they will be facilitated by festival supporter Sharz Art Design.

Online booking for the workshops is free, with a $2 cover charge included to cover the cost of materials. Spaces are limited, so it is essential to register via Sharz Art Design, then selecting the appropriate workshop you wish to attend.

For further inquiries email prudence.rowston@det.nsw.edu.au.

Student entries 2025

All applications will open from Term 2, 2025

• All submitted artworks must be clearly labelled with the title, image of the piece, student’s full name, school name and the student's
• academic year. Completed artworks should be handed to the student's organising teacher for submission.
• All submitted artworks must be original works and must not have been exhibited in the Nepean Festival of Arts and Design in the previous year. Student submissions are free of charge.
• Each student may submit up to a maximum of 3 artworks. The student’s organising teacher may request to submit additional pieces on behalf of the student, subject to approval.

Artist entries 2025

All applications will open from Term 2, 2025

• Artists wishing to participate will be required to complete the 2025 online artist application form. Please ensure all details entered are correct, as this will be used for display purposes and to contact you.
• All submitted artworks must be clearly labelled with the title, medium, and dimensions of the work. All submissions must include a photograph of the artwork or a sample of the artists’ practice within the entry form.
• Submissions must be original works and must not have been exhibited in the Nepean Festival of Arts and Design in the previous year. There is no submission fee for participating in the exhibition.
• Each artist may submit up to a maximum of 3 artworks. Artists may request to submit additional pieces, subject to approval.
• All submissions must include a photograph of the artwork or a sample of the artists’ practice within the entry form.

Nepean Festival of Arts and Design - Terms and conditions of entry (PDF 101.84 KB)

Event reviews

• “It was a delight to be involved in the festival! The room was so full of creative energy, and it was wonderful to see people of all ages coming together to appreciate artistic creation and practice. I really loved seeing the students not only exhibit alongside professional practitioners but having confidence to talk about their works and inquire deeply about works made by people further down the road than them. What a potent opportunity for NCAPAHS students lead by enthusiastic, passionate teacher. I was also chuffed to win the open category as well as meeting Blak Douglas and hearing his story!” (Sarah Frost – 2022 Winning Artist)
• “As a Wiradjuri and Ngiyampaa artist in my first year at the National Arts School, I was so excited to have my work acknowledged. It was amazing to come back to my old school (NCAPA) and receive an award at the Nepean Festival of Art and Design” (Mea-Mei – Stanbury National Art School)
• “With money raised by the successful Festival of Arts and Design the Zonta Club of Nepean Valley will be able to further our project aimed at ‘making a better world for women and girls’. The event, for Zonta not only celebrated the recognition of the amazing talent in the Penrith Local Government Area (LGA) but also highlighted the current and potential ability to network extensively and successfully to achieve a variety of objectives within the community.” (Rona Cassidy – The Zonta Club)
• “It was a pleasure and a privilege for our students to be involved in such a wonderful event. We look forward to future celebrations of the arts that showcase the creative work happening in our schools.”  (Ms Jo-anne Hornidge – Visual Arts Educator Cambridge Park High School)
• “Within the short span of a three hour event I have felt more seen in my own community than ever and I could not be prouder to be a Penrith Artist born and raised.” (Cameron Letta – Artist and Educator at Nepean CAPA High school)
• “My involvement in the Nepean Festival of Arts and Design event has allowed me to access the intricacies of holding an Art event, from marketing through to curatorial decisions and exhibiting challenges. This placement has strengthened my ability to build relationships and communicate with Art Professionals, Art Educators, Volunteers, Senior School Executives and Sponsors.  My capacity to design, build and position a successful event has been realised. I have witnessed the power of creativity to unite artists, designers, schools, and the local community." (Emily Edwards – Fine Arts Honours Degree Student UNSW Art and Design)
• “The Nepean Festival of Art and Design event has established new partnerships, exhibiting pathways and learning opportunities for our students and staff. The event provides a platform for Hospitality students to cater, Musicians to perform, Drama students to act, Photography and film students to document and local artists and designers to exhibit, share and inspire each other.” (Mrs Prudence Rowston -  H/T Creative Arts Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High)