In its 10th anniversary year, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) is taking stock of valuable support, recognising a long-term partnership with Sea Swift that has been elevated in 2019 to present this year’s Art Market, opening night fireworks and freighting services.
CIAF General Manager Vanessa Gillen said local companies like Sea Swift underpin the event with solid, unwavering support.
“While visitors don’t often see what goes on behind the scenes in the weeks leading up to an event like CIAF, there are so many logistics involved and without the support of Sea Swift stepping in to deliver art work from the remotest, far reaches of Queensland to Cairns, there wouldn’t be an Art Fair,” Ms Gillen said.
Sea Swift’s innovative Market Connect program is designed for smaller businesses and enterprises like Queensland’s Indigenous Art Centres to realise their full market potential.
“This year’s partnership which has been expanded to include the Art Market represents Sea Swift’s Market Connect program beautifully by providing a transport solution that overcomes the challenge of transporting goods, in this case art and craft works, from remote communities, for exhibition and sale at CIAF,” added Ms Gillen.
Sea Swift Chief Executive Officer Fred White said the Market Connect program helps local businesses get their products where they need to go.
“We know that operating in northern Australia is challenging, but it is a remarkable place filled with wonderful people and cultures, and amazing possibilities and opportunities,” Mr White said.
“At Sea Swift, we work hard to keep the communities of northern Australia connected, so we can all prosper and grow, as shown in our support of festivals like CIAF.
“We’ve established this exciting program to help local businesses get off the ground and be successful in what they want to do.
“We’re proud to once again be a supporter of CIAF in 2019.”
CIAF’s Art Market is a bustling and lively collection of market stalls selling a range of hand-made and artistically crafted wares all situated within an air-conditioned marquee adjacent to the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal’s Shed 3 (Art Fair exhibition).
CIAF begins today (Wednesday 10 July), with the official opening tomorrow.
For more information, visit https://ciaf.com.au
