Australia Day 2016

The start of a limestone carving

progress on John Bishop's work

Australia Day was fun! The four groups were all represented in the courtyard, the Roulettes flew past, Damian from Friends of Herring Island ran a guided tour... and the weather was great!

We had lots of visitors and look forward to seeing them at all the following exhibitions.

The Contemporary Art Society has all the colours

Basket makers at work

Damian from Friends of Herring Island
ran a tour of the treasures of the Island.

Marcela demonstrating polymer clay

Elnaz, Monica and friends getting their hands into the clay

Australia Day 2015

Not too hot, not raining - just great to check out the skills of all the artists - and to experience the island.

Enjoy!

A Blast for Australia Day!

Ceramics Victoria - ready to demonstrate their art

The "resident " exhibition has been going pretty well - we managed great weather when we were open in spite of a week of 40° days between our first two weekends. The work was well received, a few sold, and the demonstrations inspired curiousity and admiration.

Then on Australia Day all the Groups set up camp in the courtyard and held "court" for an enthusiastic and cheerful flood of visitors.

All the groups were well represented and everyone was inspired to ask questions and try out their skills.

Saeed and a portrait...

Cressida has all the colours there - befitting someone representing the Contemporary Art Society and A4 Art Australia.

Cressida Fox did double duty for the Contemporary Art Society and for A4 Art Australia - so she had all the colours out!

Damien running a walk and talk around the island

Damien from Friends of Herring Island did a walk and talk all around the island - all the plants on the island not withstanding that they are locally indigenous, were planted and nurtured by the Friends. There are pictures on their website of the island in its various modes of construction - levy banks piled high with dredging from the river - you wouldn't recognize the current peaceful bush land setting!

Roulettes on their fly past

And the Basketmakers were there - twisting, weaving, twining - and of course chatting!

Basketmakers very relaxed about getting in a twist

The grand weaving!

Most definitely a  good time was had by all!

Monday 27th is the last day of the sculpture exhibition - and on the first of February Herring Island welcomes the Basketmakers of Victoria!

A sketch in clay

Australia Day Public Holiday 2013

Cressida Fox from the Contemporary Art Society

With the tennis over, life on the river settles back to its normal rythm. You never know when 250 people might decide to spend the day on Herring Island in sunshine (not too hot) and pleasant company. The island's barbecues were well used and some people went on the tour of the island led by Damien from Friends of Herring Island.

The Basketmakers' display

Bridget Nicholson was out wrapping people's feet in clay.

Liz Reid's flying fingers working on a basket

Ceramics Victoria's display - in addition to working with clay for visitors

And in the courtyard the four exhibitng groups were well represented with demonstration and participation events.

ASV member, John Bishop nearly completed his limestone sculpture on the day

Right under the great tennis player's nose

Herring Island

Herring Island is hidden in plain sight between Alexandra Avenue and the South-Eastern Arterial – just a good crowd's roar from Rod Laver Arena. Many of our visitors say that this is their first visit to the island. Some, when we talk about the island, don't know where it is.

This Australia Day holiday all this could change – good weather will favour more than the tennis:  members of the Association of Sculptors of Victoria, the Basketmakers ofVictoria, the Contemporary Art Society of Victoria and Ceramics Victoria will be on the island in the gallery courtyard and giving demonstrations of their various creative skills. This is a collaboration between the Herring Island Summer Arts Festival – a series of exhibitions of work from members of each of these organisations and the Australia Day Council (Victoria).

The exhibition currently in the gallery is that of the Association of Sculptors of Victoria. All the work on display has been recorded and images are available on the ASV website http://www.sculptorsvictoria.asn.au.

Elsewhere on the island artist Bridget Nicholson will be working on her Touch This Earth Lightly project http://www.touchthisearthlightly.com/

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