100 Faces to meet this winter

A NEW set of colourful and diverse miniature portraits will feature in Playing in the Attic’s second 100 Faces exhibition.

The art show in the front window of Trudy McLauchlan’s Sturt Street store will officially open today, Saturday, 26 June, featuring many of the district’s visual creatives like Travis Price, Loris Button, Margie Balazic, Suzanne McRae and Deborah Klein.

“Drawing on the talents of local artists from in and around Ballarat, this year’s exhibition boasts an increase in artists to 36,” Ms McLauchlan said.

“These artists have been given the task of creating a face of any kind on a small canvas board measuring 10 centimetres-squared.

“I encouraged the artists to create faces using mediums ranging from traditional oils, to collage and found objects, and you may find amongst these faces local identities, storybook characters, iconic Ballarat or famous people, or animals.”

Melinda Muscat is presenting three works in the show – two human portraits and a fantastical creature – following her participation in the inaugural 2020 100 Faces project.

“It’s a great way to exhibit your work in a nice easy-going way. It has a real community feel about it, and now artists know a bit more after last year, they’re talking about the exhibition and sharing what they’re doing,” she said.

“It’s a nice way to get your work out there and in such a fantastic location. Because of the scale of the canvases, it also has been an opportunity for people to return to their art practice with confidence.

“Trudy is fantastic to deal with, very generous, and supportive of the local arts community.”

100 Faces will be showcased night and day throughout the Ballarat Winter Festival until Sunday, 18 July.

Each canvas is for sale. All purchases will support members of Ballarat’s thriving arts scene.

Playing in the Attic is based at 119A Sturt Street, at the front of the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute.