Nillumbik Open Studios is one of the oldest, and most well-known, open studio programs in Australia – leading the way and inspiring many similar programs in Victoria and around the country. The area encompassing Nillumbik is home to the iconic artists colonies of Montsalvat and Dunmoochin as well as being part of the Diamond Valley of the Arts region, which includes Heide and the Heidelberg School of Artists. The Nillumbik Open Studios program officially began in the late 1980s but its artistic roots go back much further in a region where artists such as Clifton Pugh, Arthur Boyd, Walter Withers, Albert Tucker and Alistair Knox have congregated for over a century.
While the Open Studio concept originates from the salons of 17th century Paris, today it simply means a studio or workroom that is made accessible to everyone, and where artistic or creative work can be viewed and created collaboratively. The Nillumbik Artists Open Studios program started in 1987 with a rough map of the studios of a few willing artists who were prepared to open their doors to the public and funded with a humble budget by the local Eltham Shire council. Cut to 2012, and today the Open Studios program is one of the foundation arts events in the area, which continues to be strongly supported by Nillumbik Shire council, highlighting the significance and value placed on the arts in the region.
The Light Factory Gallery will celebrate its final show of the year in style with the Nillumbik Open Studios 25th Anniversary exhibition opening Wednesday 28 November. A special twilight opening event with the artists will be held on Thursday 29 November from 6.30 – 8.30 pm. Thirty-eight artists from the area are involved in this year’s Open Studio program with a selection of work from each artist in this diverse and dynamic group exhibition.
A variety of exciting work including paintings, ceramics, photography, printmaking, textile and glass art as well as jewellery and sculpture by participating new and established artists is on show at the gallery from Wednesday 28 November until Sunday 15 December (complementing the two Open Studio weekends on 17-18 and 24-25 November) and is a great lead up to the festive season in Melbourne.
What: Nillumbik Open Studios 25th Anniversary Group Exhibition
Where: The Light Factory Gallery, 21 Brougham Street Eltham VIC
Ph: 9439 1206 | www.thelightfactorygallery.com.au
When: Wednesday 28 November – Sunday 15 December
Gallery hours: Wed – Sun 11 am – 4.30 pm
