Fringe & Smerkin.Merkins Artist Callout

A merkin is a pubic wig and, historically, they were worn to hide evidence of STDs or to mimic hair that was removed to avoid pubic lice. These days merkins are still used on film sets. We invite all genders to make a merkin to be displayed in the windows of Sac’O’Suds during the Castlemaine Fringe Festival. 

GUIDELINES FOR YOUR MERKIN

• May be made from whatever you desire.

• Size should be no more than A5 high or wide (210mm x 148mm).

• Please don’t make it too heavy as it will be pegged onto a line with other merkins.

• The merkins will be displayed in a public space with no staff monitoring other than security cameras. Your merkin may get damaged and or stolen!

• You are welcome to submit your merkin anonymously. (An exhibition of merkins was held as part of Castlemaine Fringe in 2017. Some members of the community took offence to one merkin and subsequently vilified the maker. We do not want to inhibit your creative expression so you are welcome to use a pseudonym.) 

• Please drop off your merkins to 62 Doveton St Castlemaine. There will be a box on the verandah 24/7. Please put your merkin in an envelope to protect it, and write your name and email on the envelope please. 

• Drop off deadline Saturday 15 March 2025.

• Merkins (to be returned) will be available from Saturday 12 April 2025 in the same box on the same verandah in the same envelope you supplied. Deadline for pick up is 10 May 2025.

• Follow @smerkin.merkins on Instagram to see the range of imaginative merkins that were made in 2017.

• Queries: merkins.castlemaine@gmail.com

We will hold a launch event and a closing event. Please follow us on Instagram @smerkin.merkins where we will advertise when these will happen.