Soldiers Hill Artist Collective on show through the windows

ALTHOUGH Soldiers Hill Artist Collective’s annual Art Walk was cancelled for 2020, the group have ensured residents wandering around the neighbourhood have creative work to spot, stop and enjoy.

Diverse works of SHAC artists are being exhibited in the shopfronts of accountancy firm, James East & Associates on Lydiard and Seymour Streets, Tin Roof café on Lydiard and MacArthur Streets, and the old butcher’s shop on Neill and Seymour Streets.

Curator, Cliff Adeney said people can walk the streets of Soldiers Hill and peek through shop windows to see the Collective’s art, which will be there on a semi-permanent basis and changed periodically.

“Neale Thompson’s wooden furniture, Rosey King’s weaving and fabric fibre art, Judith Bryce’s fibre art weaving, Helmut Stenzel’s printmaking using old letterpresses, Elaine Wheildon’s paintings, Ollie Fraser’s handstitched wall hangings of birds, and a bronze sculpture and painting by Abi Robertson are all in the butcher’s shop,” he said.

Adeney’s paintings are up in the accountant’s, while Lynne Makings’ painting and Kate Cullinan’s mixed media works are showcased in the café.

“We’re putting the art out there, and people can view the beautiful pieces in their own time.”

Part of SHAC’s philosophy is that the community and art are intertwined.

“Artwork contributes enormously to community and to the city as a whole. We believe, by putting our art there, it might be a spark to boost the morale of the town in a way,” Adeney said.

“We’re self-funded, all self-generated, and we think we’re leading the way in terms of community art.”

Lights are on at the butcher’s shop after dark, from 6pm to 9pm, so those out for a later walk can still enjoy the works installed.