The Festival is Back - Welcome to the 2021 Mad Hatter’s Festival -
Celebrating creativity, community and connection
This year the Festival program runs from Saturday October 9 through until Sunday October 24
The Festival is a showcase for the achievements, talents and creativity of artists with a lived experience of mental health issues. The Festival brings their art to new audiences - and provides opportunities for artists and art groups to share their creative vision and build new connections with the community.
2021 is the Festival’s third birthday - after the disruptions caused by COVID 19 we’re hoping that this year’s program will be uninterrupted - and will still be making sure all our events are COVID safe events.
Please take the opportunity to visit one of the exhibitions or attend one of the exciting events and help celebrate and promote the vital role of art in fostering creativity, community, connection - and well being.
In 2021 the Festival acknowledges the generous support of Brisbane City Council - and the award of a Creative Sparks Grant to support the 2020 and 2021 Festival programs. Without this grant the 2020 Festival would not have been possible.
The Festival also acknowledges the enthusiastic and generous support of the artists, local businesses, and community organisations - thank you all for your wonderful support.
The 2021 Mad Hatter’s Festival is proud to be part of Queensland Mental Health Week 2021
Tony Anderton - Artistic Director - Mad Hatter’s Festival
Festival People
Peter McGhie - Photographer and Workshop Facilitator
Peter has been involved in the planning and organisation of the Festival from the outset and has been a key contributor to the development of the Festival creative and community program in 2021.
Peter is an accomplished photographer, photography workshop facilitator and teacher. In 2021 Peter has been working with a group of emerging photographers at Mates4Mates developing a collaborative photography project to explore the dynamic world of street photography.
Festival Designer
All designs for the Festival - including our mascot - the artful pug- logos, graphics and visuals - are the work of the very talented Vanessa Bertagnole.
Vanessa is an established photographic artist and graphic designer. To see more of Vanessa Bertagnole’s photography, art and graphic design work please visit