The Mary Skene Kidman Fund – Poets of Penola Acquisitive Art Prize

Mary Skene Kidman b 1907, was a local artist who had a strong love for art and her community. She named her property Still Water.

Thanks to the philanthropy and generosity of one local family, the Art Prize will be able to continue for at least another five years, if not longer. Penola has a long history of involvement in the arts, and the local benefactor of the Fund wanted to ensure that the Art Prize would remain the major drawcard event within the annual Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival, as well as contribute financially to support the new art space in Penola.

“I wanted to make sure that Penola continued to be an inspiring place where community arts and culture are supported and valued by as many people as possible.”

Rick Partridge of the Mary Skene Kidman Fund.

The Penola & District Community Bank

The Penola & District Community Bank is proud to support our customers, our community and our all local shareholders. Community banking is based on a “profit-with-purpose” model, which means our profits are returned directly to the community that has generated it. The Penola Branch has invested tens of thousands of dollars back into the Penola community every year since the branch opened in 2014.

Coonawarra Vignerons – Shenanigans

The Coonawarra Grape and Wine Incorporated (CGWI) has been a major sponsor of the Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival for many years.

CGWI is a membership-based organisation representing the interests of grape growers and winemakers from the world-renowned Coonawarra wine region.

The CGWI are delighted to sponsor the Coonawarra Shenanigans: the major music event for the Festival. The Shenanigans are a perennial favourite offering an eclectic mix of established and up-and-coming bands, held at the Coonawarra Hall.