Summer evenings are even more delightful at Manly’s waterfront gallery, where art, music, and ideas come alive. Manly Art Gallery & Museum invites you to soak in the live music, explore fresh perspectives on water, and take a deep dive into the curator’s process.

Enjoy The Water Understands exhibition with refreshments and a glass of wine from Little Ripples. Immerse yourself in a night of art-making, engaging talks, and live music.

PROGRAM

Thursday 9 January

Jazz + Sketch

An evening of live jazz from Arthur Washington, paired with live art-making by you. As the band plays, you’re invited to unleash your creative side by sketching the musicians in action - or just sit back and enjoy the tunes! Whether you're a seasoned artist or a beginner, break out the pencils and enjoy this unique blend of music and art.

BYO sketchpad and pencils. Pens provided.

Arthur Washington Quintet

The Arthur Washington Quintet is a super fun Sydney jazz band most know for their Wednesday night residency at the Cricketer’s Arms in Surry Hills. The residency has been going 11 years strong and is notorious in the Sydney jazz scene. Each week the pub is filled with punters and musicians alike who frequently join in creating a super fun, inclusive and exciting atmosphere.

The Water Understands

Pick up a glass of Little Ripples wine and explore The Water Understands exhibition. Register for the free exhibition here. 

Thursday 16 January

CURRENTS: The Water Understands Panel Discussion

Three contemporary creatives share a project in which water was the central topic of investigation – whether visual, performative or musical. Hear from ARIA-award winning pianist and composer Sophie Hutchings, First Nations filmmaker and public artist Jake Nash, and multi-disciplinary artist Shaun Gladwell, in conversation with ArtsHub Visual Arts Editor Gina Fairley.

Featuring a live performance by Sophie Hutchings on piano. 

Thursday 23 January

DJ Dan Forsyth provides a laid-back atmosphere to the deep insights provided by our curatorial team.

6pm - Curatorial Tour | A public tour of The Water Understands exhibition by the curatorial team at MAG&M

7pm - Creatives Connect: Conversations with Curators | Special industry event for emerging and early-career curators. A rare opportunity to discuss curatorial practices and hear from MAG&M’s curators about their approach to programming. Register for the Creatives Connect industry event here.

DJ Dan Forsyth

Daniel Forsyth is a bit of a rascal, a bit of a dreamer, and a bit of an artist. His full name is ‘Daniel Lee Kendall’ Forsyth. Daniel Lee Kendall did some pretty cool things in the musical sphere, including performing on Triple J’s iconic segment ‘Like a Version’. Unfortunately, Daniel Forsyth killed Daniel Lee Kendall, the details of which would be the equivalent of listening to Vogon poetry. If you don’t know what that means, read The Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy. Not that it’s a favourite book of Daniel’s, he just happened to read it the other week.

For further information on the Art Up Late program at Manly Art Gallery & Museum, please visit their website here. 

For more art in the evening, head to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australian Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and Bankstown Arts Centre Up Late webpages.