ArtWalk march in Soldiers Hill

STREETS are alive with the colours of autumn and it’s the perfect time to take a wander through Soldiers Hill to admire both the natural beauty and the creative works of artists from the distinct district who make up the Soldiers Hill Artist Collective.

This is the fourth year that a self-guided walk through Soldiers Hill has been offered.

Businesses, private residences and studios will be open between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May, with businesses displaying art works and venues are identified by yellow squares on the footpath.

Seventeen artists, ranging from textile art, painting, printmaking, sculpture, fibre art, paper, work in varied mixed media, furniture and photography are taking part.

At the recent opening of the ArtWalk, President of SHAC Ian Kemp said the projects helped to create a suburb where creativity is valued and promoted as a community virtue.

“The standard of art is very high, but it’s also very diverse and that’s what makes it so exciting. As a group, SHAC welcomes and supports emerging artists as well as acknowledging the work of recognised artists,” Mr Kemp said.

Julie McLaren, curator of the Art Gallery of Ballarat, officially opened the event. She said that the most important thing to take away from the ArtWalk is that you don’t have to be an artist to create art.

“At the Gallery we have recently readopted our original motto ‘Not for self, but for all’. This is about art being inclusive and being made available to everyone… and this seems very relevant to the ArtWalk,” she said.

On Sunday, 5 May two artists will be conducting a workshop on Polish style paper. The workshop will be held in the Ballarat North Bowling Club from 11.45am to 1.45pm and costs $10 for children and $15 for adults, with all materials supplied. Bookings essential via [email protected].