Do the walk, do the walk of art

SOLDIERS Hill Artist Collective’s Art Walk will see the suburb getting out on foot to embrace the creativity of residents throughout the month of April.

After a COVID-forced hiatus in 2020 the annual event is back, with 20 Soldiers Hill artists volunteering to showcase their work in varying business locations including the Tin Roof Café, John Harbour Quality Butcher, Food Seduction on Doveton, and the North Star Hotel.

SHAC chair Rosey King said the Patterson’s Butcher Shop exhibition space will open for viewings on weekends from 11am to 5pm, and Ian Kemp will have his own open studio events, featuring largely photographic work, at 205 Seymour Street.

“It’s a chance to showcase our historic streetscapes, buildings and the general environment of Soldiers Hill, while engaging with our local shop owners and vendors,” she said.

“We’ve had great support from shop owners, especially our cafes, which have been particularly interested. It will be very relaxed this year.

“It’s a lovely opportunity for people to walk around our neighbourhood, see some art, and stop in and have a coffee at one of our cafes along the way. It will be great fun.”

A diverse range of artists are participating, including textile artists working with baskets, botanical dyeing, feltwork, patchwork quilting and weaving.

Photography, printmaking, watercolours and oil paintings are also part of the displays.

For the first time during the Art Walk month, SHAC is facilitating workshops sponsored by the Ballarat Telstra Shop, which will explore botanical printing and basket stitching.

Led by creatives Judith Bryce and Ollie Fraser, they will run on Sunday, 11 April at the North Ballarat Bowling Club from 11am to 2pm, and will cost $20 per person.

The SHAC Art Walk is set to run from Saturday, 10 to Sunday, 18 April. A catered, official opening event will take place on Friday, 9 April at North Ballarat Bowling Club from 6pm.

Visit shacballarat.org.au for further information and workshop ticket links.