EACH Sunday afternoon, the North Britain Hotel in Soldiers Hill becomes the social meeting point for the creatives and artists of Ballarat and surrounds.<\/p>\n
The regular Arte Chatz events take place from 3pm, with a miniature of Doctor Who\u2019s iconic blue TARDIS phone booth to signify the group for newcomers.<\/p>\n
The get-togethers were spearheaded in September by artist Peter Sparkman, who said there was a \u201chole to fill\u201d for artist get-togethers following the pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main places that artists would hang out don\u2019t really exist anymore. Babushka closed down. The Main Bar closed down and is yet to reopen,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was missing everybody and you only ever see some of them at openings so I wanted to make a place where there was no time limit and everyone can get to together and talk about their art.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe North Britain Hotel is so eclectic and the garden\u2019s really peaceful, pretty and quiet. It\u2019s been a great place to have everyone come along.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sparkman said the initial gatherings grew from eight people to an average of more than 30.<\/p>\n
The events are open for all manner of creatives such as visual artists, performers, musicians, sound and lighting technicians.<\/p>\n
He also said said the get-togethers have been a great way to strengthen Ballarat\u2019s art scene.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very casual, and what I find is people start talking and showing each other their work, which is great because normally they don\u2019t have the time to do that,\u201d Sparkman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone will talk about what they\u2019re doing and then they can be put together with someone who\u2019s in that scene and they\u2019ll form a connection.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great to see the beer garden full of people just talking about art. We have drawers, painters, sculptors, people in performing arts, film, musicians. Whoever wants to come is welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
EACH Sunday afternoon, the North Britain Hotel in Soldiers Hill becomes the social meeting point for the creatives and artists of Ballarat and surrounds. The regular Arte Chatz events take place from 3pm, with a miniature of Doctor Who\u2019s iconic blue TARDIS phone booth to signify the group for newcomers. The get-togethers were spearheaded in […]<\/p>\n