Ballarat Frolic Festival
Various dates
Ballarat Frolic Festival has been around since 2017. They are a not-for-profit, completely volunteer-run organisation that hosts twice-yearly festivals promoting and supporting regional LGBTIQA+ artists, art, and culture.
In summer they host an all-ages, inclusive Pride festival called Ballarat Frolic Festival, full of light, joy and rainbows.
From 2021 - 2023, they also presented Frolic Dark Rainbow in the winter months, a more intimate, edgier festival to push boundaries and revel in the dark and the queer.
Here you'll find Frolic events that were supported by the City of Ballarat.
2024
Ballarat Begonia Festival
In 2024, the Art Gallery of Ballarat and the Ballarat Frolic Festival had a joint entry in the Ballarat Begonia Festival titled "The Queen Of Begonias" by artist Scotty So.
Photo by Tara C Pool
Dear Queer
The Art Gallery of Ballarat also hosted the workshop Dear Queer.
Participants gave heteronormative Hallmark the boot and joined Frolic for a workshop on how to Say The Things.
This mixed-media workshop, facilitated by Sarah Hart, was about getting the words out of your head and onto a piece of paper that people will genuinely want to keep. They wrote to those they care about (lovers, chosen/bio family, friends, neighbours, favourite café, themselves…). Then they made a note or card.
Queer-Ways Ballarat
The Art Gallery of Ballarat also hosted Queer-ways Australia Ballarat launch Inviting the community to explore their inspiring display, and learn about Ballarat's LGBTQIA+ history.
2023
Queer-Ways Ballarat
In 2023, the Art Gallery of Ballarat hosted workshops by Queer-Ways, to capture oral histories of places in and around Ballarat.
Own Voices Writing Workshop with Sam Elkin & Yves Rees
Ballarat Libraries were ecstatic to partner with Ballarat Frolic Festival in 2023 for this special event!
Participants joined SAM ELKIN and YVES REES, co-editors of trans anthology Nothing to Hide, for an Own Voices writing workshop that celebrates the magic of trans storytelling. They discussed genre, voice, audience, editing and keeping yourself safe, plus experimented with different writing styles via some exercises to get creative juices flowing.
2021
Backspace Art Exhibition
In 2021, the Art Gallery of Ballarat hosted the Dark Rainbow exhibition, featuring works by 17 artists using a diverse range of mediums and explores some different aspects of LGBTQI experience and identity.
2019
Queering the Gallery: Frolic Festival Tour
Participants joined local drag king Lance DeBoyle for an irreverent walk through the Gallery, throwing open the Gallery closet to take a new look at old art, a fun look at serious art and a revealing look at hidden messages. There was also a guest appearance from Gabriella Labucci.
Pic by Lynden Photography