Funded by the Northern Grampians Shire as part of its Community programs, the four workshops were led by Dunolly artist and art educator, Val Wilkinson.

 

After a long career teaching art, photography and graphics to secondary students, Val vanished into the wilderness for a decade to explore, photograph and paint Australia’s national parks. Her passion for the environment and eternal search for new ways to interpret it artistically was shared during this series of workshops.

 

Each of the 3-day workshops focused on one or other aspect of how artists see and depict the world around them. Participants explored new techniques and different mediums as they studied the styles and methods of famous long-dead artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Max Ernst, Grace Cossington-Smith and Clarice Beckett as well as inspirational living ones like Tasmanian artist Tony Smibert.

 

At the conclusion of each workshop participants were required to undertake ‘homework’ using their newly acquired knowledge and skills.

 

This exhibition showcases these completed artworks. However, instead of curating the show in workshop groupings, Val invited each artist to select a wall and then curate their own mini-exhibition . . . a bonus fifth workshop in fact.

 

Thus visitors to the Kaleidoscope Exhibition will get to observe the unique journeys undertaken by ten talented individuals none of whom departed from the same starting point. Nonetheless all have ended up at the Raillery Hub for what will be for many of them, their very first group show.

 

The Raillery Hub Gallery located in Queen’s Avenue St. Arnaud, is open Friday to Sunday 11.00 - 2.00. The official launch will be on Saturday, November 16 at 2 p.m. and will run until January 14, 2025. Entry is free.