Activities & Itineraries

5 Things To Fuel Your Creativity In Brisbane This Summer

By Urban List Writers
9th Dec 2021

If recent months have left you thirsting for something to get the creative juices flowing, we hear you. The good news is, summer is only a few short weeks away, meaning it’s officially the season to get out and about and soak in all the wonders Brisbane has to offer. 

We’ve teamed up with Bombay Sapphire to round up where you can kick-start your creativity in Brisbaneand keep the inspiration flowing. 

From immersing yourself in Van Gogh Alive to escape rooms at Arcadium Adventures, here’s our local’s guide to unlocking your imagination. 

Immerse Yourself In The Mesmerising World Of Van Gogh 

Hamilton 

Looking at art on a wall is great, but to really get your creative juices flowing you need to fully immerse yourself in it—which is just what you can do at Van Gogh Alive this summer. This massive immersive installation of Van Gogh masterpieces has toured the globe but is now finally in Brisbane, and we couldn’t be more excited. Step into the giant, warehouse-sized hall hosting the exhibition and you’ll be dazzled by moving projections of the artist’s iconic artworks covering the walls, floors and ceiling, giving you a whole new perspective of pieces like The Starry Night and Wheatfield with Crows—and maybe even inspiring you to create in all new ways.

Channel Your Inner Cirque Du Soleil   

Fortitude Valley and New Farm 

If there’s one sure-fire way to get a new perspective on things, it’s by hanging upside down—and you can do just that in one of Circa’s adult circus classes. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be an expert cartwheeler for these—beginners are absolutely welcome, and you can even try a class before you commit to a full eight-week course. It’s not just the ability to swing from a silk ribbon you’ll work on either—these classes also focus on artistic movement skills in a friendly, social environment. You’ll be ready to run away and join Cirque Du Soleil in no time. 

Unleash Your Creativity On Canvas 

CBD

Gin giant, Bombay Sapphire is pairing up with Australian illustrator and animator, Ellen Porteus for a botanical enriched range of bespoke edible art that will be incorporated into unique cocktails. Available at Boom Boom Room, each different garnish will take after the iconic Bombay range and $2 from every cocktail sold will be donated to charities in the hospitality and arts community, so you can feel good putting back a few. 

Hit The Decks And Get Spinning 

Fortitude Valley 

Any budding DJs out there? If having your own set of decks is still a pipe dream, but you just want to be able to put on a set of headphones and lose yourself in a mix of your own creation, QUIVR has the answer. Their DJ booth in Winn Lane in the Valley is kitted out with state-of-the-art turntables, CDJs, monitors and a mixer—and you can hire it for a mere $25 an hour. You can play whatever music you like, from deep house to thumping drum ‘n’ base, with your entire set recorded and livestreamed. Never touched a mixer in your life, but just know you’d be pro at it? The QUIVR team also hold regular private and group DJ workshops to get you started—and inspired. 

Put Your Skills To The Test 

Spring Hill 

Looking for an experience that will spark your imagination, inspire creative thinking and get you collaborating with others? Forget artsy workshops, what you need is an escape room—and Arcadium Adventures is one of the most magical in Brisbane. Venture down into the heritage building’s basement and you’ll find a world of mystery awaiting, one that will immerse you in an intriguing adventure from the very beginning. Bonus, there’s a bar down there too, so you can debrief and discuss your strengths and weaknesses post adventure. 

Whether you're learning a new party trick at Circa or hitting the decks at Quivr, finish a day packed with inspiration and unleash your creative flair on your next cocktail with Bombay Sapphire. Pick up your bottle here. 

Editor’s Note: This article is sponsored by Bombay Sapphire and proudly endorsed by Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.

Image credit: Van Gogh Alive, supplied.

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