The Launch of Herring Island Summer Arts Festival 2013

Artists are buzzing, preparations are in hand and Parks Victoria is already operating the punt service.

On Saturday 19th January 2013 a Councillor representing Cr. Jackie Fristacky, Mayor of the City of Yarra, will open the Sculpture exhibition and launch the 2013 Herring Island Summer Arts Festival. The opening will run from 12 noon until 2pm and all the exhibitions in the series will be open from 11:30am to 4:30pm every weekend until 7th April.

Remember that the punt service stops at 5pm - so in spite of the temptation to linger forever on the island - be there on time!

You can contact us to receive email notifications of the start of each exhibition or download an invitation here.

Ceramics Victoria opens in glorious weather

The Ceramics Victoria exhibition opened to mild weather and the distant hornet's buzz of the Melbourne Grand Prix. There were prizes awarded and interested visitors for the last exhibition in the Summer Arts Festival.

The island looks great in the gentler weather that presages autumn - don't miss this last chance.

Contemporary by Nature - a hot start

The Contemporary Art Society of Victoria opened their exhibition on Herring Island - in the heat! Twenty nine artists have contributed to a great show of painting and sculpture and they have stocked the refrigerator with cool drinks. So visitors will find the trip well worth while.




We are now half way through the 2012 Festival - the range and diversity of art is great and the island well worth the visit in all its moods. Just don't forget the sunscreen.

The Basketmakers exhibition is open

.. and it's a beauty!

there are some amazing works of art - going in disguise as baskets - you just have to be there....

In the movie clip, Edit Meaklim was interviewed by Robert Lee (President of the Contemporary Art Society of Victoria) - the twined willow and the random weave with dracaena draco were both Edit's.

The set of 3 plastic covered wire pieces immediately after that discussion were by Fleur Brett. The pinky-orange stitched bowl and blue rimmed bowl are Ruth Parker's. The large piece beside the opener (Tricia McGaughey, President of Basketmakers of Victoria) is by Colleen Bright.

The natural coloured boat shaped basket is Jean Stone's: the wall hanging seen just after the talk is by Elma Morgan.

Jane Henry was interviewed by Maree Brown. The other baskets around them were by Liz Reid, Sue Dilley, Heather Turner, Raine Edwards and Tricia McGaughey. The baskets with the antlers are the work of Robyn Norris.

Australia Day 2012

Cressida from the Contemporary Art Society working in the courtyard

We had perfect weather, a beautiful place and representatives from all the exhibiting groups to engage in conversation. There was John Bishop carving, three Basketmakers weaving, Cressida Fox painting and drawing and a lively contingent from Ceramics Victoria encouraging visitors in the delights of clay modelling. Plus a guided tour led by Damian Curtin from Friends of Herring Island.

A Weave of Basket Makers

A chip of a sculptor

A walk in the park

The Launch

The formalities were conducted with style

by ASV President Gillian Govan and

Cr. John Chandler, Mayor of Stonnington

Image courtesy Robert Lee

A president with people, food and great weather

It was a great day - food and people and drinks in correct abundance..... the speeches were made and the art admired... we are ready for a great festival. We'll add images as they come to hand...

The exhibiting sculptors also managed the hospitality.

In this case Monica Mauer Jan wields the platter.

Image by Robert Lee.

The first work sold
Image by Janice McCarthy

The throng

The throng admiring the art

Setting up the First Exhibition

It didn't rain - it was fun and now it's ready for the opening:

Before the 2012 Festival

As we work towards the Festival it's sometimes good to reflect on the other groups who have helped make Herring Island into a bushland retreat. Friends of Herring Island were working there today - Sunday 8th January - and the place is looking great - so welcome to some background clips of sleepy Herring Island.