Exploring the Art that Colours Victoria in this year’s Australian Heritage Festival (Victoria)
Victoria is brimming with opportunities to delve into its rich tapestry of arts and culture, especially now that it’s finally Heritage Festival season! With a huge range of talks, performances and cultural exhibitions, there's something for every art lover to unearth this year.
Here are some of the most cultivated events in the program this year’s culture fix.
Stained Glass Down Swanston Street
Tour leader, Dr Bronwyn Hughes, is a stained glass historian who will unpack the designs and tell some of the stories about donors, artists and makers of the windows that enhance and enliven Melbourne’s buildings. Notable highlights include the State Library, Melbourne Town Hall, the Nicholas Building, St Paul’s Cathedral, and a recent addition to the NGVA along with other glass rarely seen.
From the Leckie window at Melbourne University to the Leonard French ceiling at the National Gallery, this walk & talk offers a wealth of historic gems hidden in plain sight.
When: 7th of May
Where: Meet at the Potter Museum, Parkville
Presented by GLAAS Inc
The Life of Walter Withers
Until now there has been no family history of Walter Withers (1854-1914), a notable but underestimated Australian landscape artist of the Heidelberg school. An exceptional yet under-appreciated artist, the importance of Withers’ work to the Australian cultural landscape was his unprecedented use of colour and dedication to travelling across Victoria and how this informed his paintings of our beautiful landscapes.
When: 30th of April
Where: Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, Ballarat
Presented by Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute
TENYA
TENYA, meaning “Us” in Anaiwan, explores Anaiwan artist Gabi Briggs’ cultural revitalisation through walking as practice. As Gabi prepares for a 100km journey on Country, “TENYA” delves into language renewal and connection to land. This multi-layered sound and visual installation captures the process of communicating with Country, resulting in a song embedded within a larger narrative.
When: 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th of May
Where: The Substation, Newport
Presented by The Substation
Waller House Open Day
Immerse yourself in the lives of those who lived, created, loved, and lost in Waller House. Embarking on this immersive tour you will learn about this beautiful home studio and its renowned historical inhabitants Christian and Napier Waller, Klytie Pate and Lorna Waller.
With insight into the stories, architectural features, and collection items uncovered by the team at the National Trust as they continue to research, document, and preserve this significant property, this tour offers a rare glimpse into the artistic world of the Wallers.
When: 4th of May
Where: Waller House, Ivanhoe
Presented by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
En Plein Air at Gulf Station
Experience a day of artistic inspiration at Gulf Station, where local and regional artists will bring the historic farm to life through their unique interpretations. As they work en plein air using a variety of mediums, visitors can watch their artworks evolve against the backdrop of this beautifully preserved 19th-century farm.
Wander through the homestead, old schoolhouse, and heritage outbuildings, all constructed using traditional techniques, and imagine life on a self-sufficient colonial farm. Take a guided tour at 11:30 am or explore at your own pace, meeting the resident Clydesdales, sheep, and farm animals along the way.
When: 27th of April
Where: Gulf Station, Yarra Glen
Presented by The National Trust
An Artistic Legacy: The History of the Melbourne Athenaeum Art Gallery
Discover the story behind the opening of the Melbourne Athenaeum Art Gallery and its role as one of Melbourne’s most significant art spaces. Established in 1839 as the Melbourne Mechanics’ Institute, it provided the city with its first library, museum and exhibition space, expanding its artistic role with the additional opening of the Athenaeum Art Gallery in 1910.
The Gallery was in operation for over sixty years and exhibited the work of some of Australia’s most acclaimed artists. This lecture presented by Fiona Moore, Archives Manager at the Melbourne Athenaeum, will bring to light the history behind the Gallery that lays at the heart of this great city’s cultural legacy.
When: 5th of May
Where: The Melbourne Athenaeum Library, Melbourne
Presented by The Melbourne Athenaeum
Colour and Decoration: The Paterson Brothers Interiors and Art 1875-1915
The Paterson Brothers were the preeminent interior art decorators based in Melbourne spanning from the 1870s into the early twentieth century. Join us for an illustrated lecture that will contextualise their work and legacy as Melbourne’s leading decorating firm.
Fittingly presented in the stunning interior of Villa Alba – decorated by them between 1883 and 1884 – the remarkable sole survivor of the firm’s work, cementing the Villa as a crucial site to the cultural memory of Melbourne.
When: 18th of May
Where: Villa Alba Museum, Kew
Presented by Villa Alba Museum
