BLAK Arts Festival

Celebrate culture, creativity and community at the BLAK Arts Festival!

Join us at St Lucia campus on Thursday 11 September for a vibrant celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, music and storytelling.

BLAK Arts Festival program

When: Thursday 11 September 2025 
Where: Dr Mary Mahoney Amphitheatre, St Lucia campus

This is a free event where you can enjoy powerful live performances, browse market stalls, sample delicious flavours and relax on picnic mats or under our marquees. 

What to expect
  • A full schedule of live performances

  • Mouth-watering food from local food truck Jarrah Catering

  • Market stalls, including art, clothing, jewellery, books, author signings and more

  • Picnic mats and shaded marquees for a relaxed, welcoming vibe

  • A free, inclusive event open to everyone in celebration and honour of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artistic expression. 

Events

TimeEventLocation

10am

Tribal Experiences - Welcome to Country

 Amphitheatre

10:15am

Official Opening by ATSIS Director Cassandra Diamond

 Amphitheatre

10am-11am

Dr Aileen Moreton-Robinson Book signing

Book tent

10:20am

DJ Gurilla

Amphitheatre

10:35am

Jamaine Wilesmith (UQ Alumni)

 Amphitheatre

11am-12pm

Dr Jackie Huggins book signing

Book tent

11:15am

DJ Gurilla

Amphitheatre

11:30am

UQ Reconciliation Choir

 Amphitheatre

12:10pm

DJ Gurilla

Amphitheatre

12:25pm

Jasmin Adams (UQ Student)

 Amphitheatre

12:45pm

DJ Gurilla

Amphitheatre

1pm - 2pm

Cheryl Leavy Book signing

Book tent

1pm - 2pm

Performance by Aunty Delmae Barton and the Sketch Ensemble  

Music School Nickson Room, Zelman Cowen Building

1:00pm

Z.D.K. Hip Hop Artist

 Amphitheatre

1:40pm

DJ Gurilla 

 Amphitheatre

Stallholders

OrganisationType
BRACKS Indigenous Clothing Pty LtdClothing and merch
Charm Ya CrocsCroc jibbitz, crocs and bags
Choo Choo DesignsAccessories (jewellery) and bags
Cockatoo CollinsArt, clothing, accessories, stationary
Dhiiyaan DhinawanAboriginal Artifcats, art, jewellery and weaving
Dreamtime ArtistryArts and gifts
Dwayne King ARTISTArts and crafts
First Nations Book StallFirst Nations books and Author signing
Glass Art DreamingAboriginal art on glass and mirrored-based products, and glass jewellery
IndigibeeUpcycled and handmade goods (jewellery, bees wax wraps), and live native bee hives
Jelyar (Jell Air) JewelleryJewellery
Muralappi ArtsAboriginal Artifacts, bags, purses and paintings
Murrorong Aboriginal JewelleryMurrorong Aboriginal jewellery
Native OZ BushfoodsCondiments, teas, soft drinks and soaps
Olivia's Crystals and JewelleryCrystals and jewellery
Red Sand SistersArt, accessories, clothing and homewares
Winda JindasFirst Nations bush jewellery and handmade goods

Authors

Cheryl Leavy is from the Kooma and Nguri Nations in western and central Queensland. She is an award-winning poet and writer who loves to tell stories that celebrate First Nations culture, history and Country. Yanga Mother is her first picture book. Cheryl loves her job as a writer because it gives her endless opportunities to work with friends to make beautiful books together.
Dr Jackie Huggins AM FAHA, a member of the Bidjara and Birri Gubba Juru peoples, is currently leading the work for Treaty/Treaties in Queensland. In popular demand as a speaker on Aboriginal issues, she is a well-known historian and author, with articles published widely in Australia and internationally. Her acclaimed biography of her mother, Auntie Rita, was published in 1994 and in 2022 her biography of her father, Jack of Hearts: QX11594 was published.
Distinguished Professor Aileen Moreton-Robinson is a Goenpul woman of the Quandamooka people (Moreton Bay). She is leading scholar in the field of Critical Indigenous Studies covering areas such as Indigenous Sovereignty, Law, Gender, Race and Power. Professor Moreton-Robinson’s numerous publications have international standing and global reach. She is an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Fellow Australian Academy of the Social Sciences, and a Fellow of the Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences. Professor Moreton-Robinson is a member of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Council. She was formerly President Elect of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA).

Music Now

Time: 1-2pm

Location: Nickson Room, School of Music

Event description: Aunty Delmae Barton shares her poetry and uniquely inspired singing, accompanied by Sketch Ensemble, including a composition she created with her son William, "Pilgrim's Prayer". In addition, members of Sketch share their own compositions, with premiere works by Caterina Micola von Furstenrecht, Abigail Lui, Ashlyn Keiler and Taylee Jurekie-Rofe. Learn more here.

Entry: No registration or ticket required. 

Become a member of the UQ RAP Network

The University of Queensland’s #UQRAP Network fosters a culturally respectful workplace and study environment. Open to all staff and students, you can join as a RAP Friend, Partner, or Agent of Change, depending on your reconciliation journey. Members can deepen their cultural learning and take part in reconciliation initiatives across UQ.

Learn more about the UQ RAP Network

 

Follow us on Instagram for the latest on everything UQ:

Follow @UQLife