The Fort will host a very special group exhibition this Thursday 1 October, kick-starting the 2009 BARI (Brisbane Artist Run Initiatives) Festival.

Titled Ruminate, this refreshing group show will be the first of many exhibitions to be held, not in The Fort’s gallery space, but in the building’s huge 200m2 converted performance space. FORTwenty Gallery curate the exhibition which will feature a diversity of well known and emerging artists such as David Hayes, Fintan Magee, Jeroo (Germany), Mags, Yuin Huz, Sean Campbell, Nathaniel Cliff, and include sculpture by Paul Haig and video art by Nicola Parsons.  Visitors to the exhibition will be truly impressed by this fresh and exciting fusion of contemporary works.

The Ruminate exhibition will officially open the 2nd Annual BARI Festival, an initiative founded by Jugglers Art Space, aimed at providing a festival platform and acknowledgment to the creative contribution offered by artist-run-initiatives, such as The Fort. Brisbane is now home to several well established Artist Run Initiatives each working within their own unique artistic frameworks and providing services for artists and members of the public.

The Fort is a collective of vibrant young artists all working out of the Fortitude Valley’s historic Bell Bros. building.  The Fort aims to provide an innovative, community approach to the creation and presentation of art, and grow many artistic endeavors drawing on collective resources, skills and networks, with a special focus on environmental and community sustainability.

In celebration of this inspiring exhibition, festival and art space, local hip hop crew The Kelly Gang will be performing on the night alongside local producer and DJ Tigermoth.

The Ruminate exhibition opens Thursday 1 October at 6pm, level 2, 57 Brunswick Street Fortitude Valley (The Fort).  The exhibition and BARI Festival program runs until 10 October 2009.  For more information visit http://barifest.blogspot.com/.