The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair returns to Larrakia Country for its fifteenth year this August. As always, the fair is part of the larger annual Darwin Festival and will span 6-11 August 2021.

Unsure if you'll be able to participate due to snap lockdowns and border closures? This year the fair is taking lessons from the previous years success and will be completely digital. In this new format you'll be granted access to artworks from over 70 different Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned and operated Art Centres regardless of where you're stationed. The showcase will feature pieces of varying mediums, whether that's paintings on canvas or bark, didgeridoos or fibre art. And if you're looking to participate overseas, keep an eye out as there will be an opportunity later in the year to take part.

What sets this fair apart from so many others is its position as an ethical marketplace. Audiences will have the opportunity to purchase work from artists and art centres directly. This ensures that 100% of all profits will go directly to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and art centres.

While you may just opt to admire and perhaps purchase any one, or two of the contemporary works on display. You can also secure tickets to masterclasses hosted by difference art centres. The classes range from lino carving to coiled basket weaving, or 'one-twist' weaving, painting and watercolour. Get in quick though, spots are filling up fast.

And for those lucky enough to be in Darwin for this years Festival, here are some events we wouldn't miss if we were you.

National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) - Tuesday 3 August 2021

Country To Couture - Wednesday 4 August 2021

National Indigenous Music Awards (NIDA) - Saturday 7 August

Tickets are now on sale for in-person events. And if you're participating from home, you can watch a live stream of all the main events via NITV.

Images: Fishnet fabric by Kieren Karritpul - Darwin Art Fair