Imagination and Creativity Illuminate the Night at St Augustine’s Primary School, Coffs Harbour

A stunning display of imagination and creativity illuminated the night as the community of St Augustine’s Primary School, Coffs Harbour, held their spectacular Firefly Art Festival. (25 May 2022)

A wonderful community celebration of the Creative Arts was held at the annual St Augustine’s Primary School, Coffs Harbour, Firefly Art Festival. The night was filled with excitement as the community came out in droves to celebrate and support their school after COVID forced last year’s event to be postponed. 

The night did not disappoint. The tempting aroma of sausage sandwiches and hot chocolate filled the air as parents and staff manned the BBQs and canteen as the magnificent night unfolded.

The combined St Augustine’s Choir and Dance Troupe performed to a joyful crowd surrounded by vivid displays of colour and light. Visitors were enthralled by the transformation of the school grounds. Year 4’s dazzling multicoloured zentangle and hand-drawn Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander totems were brought to life through digital animation. Visitors could explore the fantastical illuminated ‘Forest of Colour’ created by Year 2.

The school was bursting with magical collaborative installations and a static art gallery displaying an original collection of school-wide artwork.

‘Under the Sea,’ a marvellous collaborative installation filled with striking glow-in-the-dark sea creatures painted by Kindergarten, lined the walls alongside the schools of Kirigami fish hand-cut by Year 1 as hand-made paper mache jellyfish hung from above created by Year 3. 

Year 5’s magnificent Dragon Sculpture amazed visitors with a massive modular dragon complete with eggs and baby dragons. 

‘That was an absolutely incredible night!!! We as a family were so blown away by all the displays, the lights, the projections on the rooftops and walls, the children's masterpieces and performances! Even the sausage sangers were so so good! And that Dragon! No wonder the kids were so excited to see her!’ wrote the Horne Family.

This year's Firefly Art Festival was an extraordinary event revealing that when we work together, something magical can happen.