The Alice Springs Beanie Festival is a community event that began in 1997, with a ‘beanie party’ organised by Adi Dunlop.
In the early years, the festival was run by a group of friends including Pamela Bladon, Merran Hughes and Jo Nixon on a volunteer basis. The core group has slowly grown into a committed band of beanie-ologists. We know our beanies.
The festival was organised to sell beanies crocheted by Aboriginal women in remote communities. It has grown into a fun event where Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal artists share their culture and exhibit together.
The festival is unique because of its community participation and unique ties with local Aboriginal organisations. The festival aims to develop Aboriginal women’s textiles, promote womens’ culture and the beanie as a regional art form, as well as promote handmade textile arts.