St Margaret's MAYO Arts Festival is named in honour of St Margaret’s Old Girl Daphne Mayo MBE (1908), one of Queensland’s most significant twentieth century artists. She was an outstanding sculptor and creator of some of Brisbane’s grandest monuments including the Brisbane City Hall tympanum and the Queensland Women’s War Memorial at Anzac Square. Daphne carved the path for today's St Margaret's students' education and learning of the three-dimensional artform and celebrating three-dimensional art is what sets the MAYO Arts Festival apart.
Since its inception in 2008, the festival has showcased the work of artists and artisans working in disciplines including jewellery, glass art, ceramics and sculpture.
In 2024, the festival was reimagined to take on a new look, bringing the school and wider community together for a one-day only multi-arts celebration, showcasing student exhibitions and performances in art, dance, drama and music as well as providing opportunities for Brisbane and Queensland artists and artisans to showcase their work and, in turn, for our community to connect with talented creatives, art and inspiration.
The family-friendly festival is a much-loved event on the school calendar with live music, dance and drama performances by our St Margaret’s students, delicious food and drink from some of Brisbane’s best food trucks, sweet treats, ticketed carnival rides and amusements such as lob a choc, lucky dip, putt putt and more!
All proceeds from the MAYO Arts Festival go towards enriching the art education experience of St Margaret’s students through the acquisition of new artwork and the maintenance and restoration of the school’s existing art collection.
Thank you to our 2024 Mayo Supporters Comiskey Distillery, All Clear Print & Signs, Village Voice and the Lord Mayor's Community Fund and Hamilton Ward Office as well as the many businesses that sponsored a stall or donated prizes towards the raffle.
For anyone interested in getting involved in the festival in 2026, either as a sponsor, stallholder or volunteer, please email your expression of interest to mayofestival@stmargarets.qld.edu.au.
View the 2024 video below