31/07/2026
WELCOME to the first day of SALA Festival 2026 🙌
A bit of an introduction about our FEATURE ARTIST this year, MANDY FOOT…
MANDY FOOT is an award-winning, best-selling Author and Illustrator of 30 children’s books and an accomplished presenter of workshops, sharing her passion in schools and at Children’s Literature Festivals.
Since being handed a tin of chalk to draw on her grandparent’s concrete paths at 2 years of age, Mandy has never stopped drawing - including illustrating for the Adelaide Zoo Education Service for 12 years (drawing enough animals to fill an encyclopedia) and Haigh’s Chocolates. A highlight of her career to date was receiving a handwritten letter of encouragement from Sir David Attenborough. With two border collies under her feet in her Adelaide Hills studio, she loves to paint traditionally, mostly in watercolour, and the more animals, the better.
In 2025 the Children’s Book Council of Australia (SA) awarded Mandy Honorary Life Membership in recognition of outstanding contribution to Australian children’s literature.
Her books include the Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book and SCBWI Crystal Kite Winner, Bev and Kev and the heart-warming Joey and Riley. 🎨
Her exhibition at our Farm Shop “THE ARTIST’S STORY” will run from 1st -31st August;
“Journey through the artwork of local Artist, MANDY FOOT, in this exhibition of original works showcasing personal pieces, the paintings which inspire her renowned greeting cards, and artwork from her children’s books. Each piece has its own story to tell, with a life time of practice to create it.”
Also don’t forget to CHECK OUT her upcoming Watercolour Workshop and Meet and Book Signing days on our socials… 🙌
