There’s nothing like an arty adventure to shake off the winter blues.

Ballarat has you covered with a suite of workshops, exhibitions, markets and festivals coming up in July and August.

There’s plenty of cultural happenings taking place indoors, so don’t let the forecast get in the way of your creative spirit.

CREATIVE EXPERIENCES

MADE OF BALLARAT: EXPERIENCES

Take the creative path less travelled and join a Made of: Ballarat Experience. Award-winning local makers and creators will introduce you to their unique art forms, from vase painting to embellishing vintage prints with gold-leaf. Whatever craft takes your fancy, these hands-on workshops will help you switch off for the day and explore some hidden gems of Ballarat’s creative scene.

WALK & CREATE

Tour moody backstreets and ornate heritage interiors with Jacqueline Matisse and learn the art of 35mm film photography. Dust off your own analogue camera (or loan a camera from your host) to capture the beauty and drama of Ballarat in winter.

Take a poet’s eye view of downtown Ballarat with award-winning poet Megan J Riedl and embark on a guided creative writing journey that makes the everyday magical. Visit local cultural spots like the Lost Ones Makers Studio, the ever-evolving murals of the Annexe Wall and the miniature art installations of Time Lane.

Along the way, Megan will inspire you with spoken word performances and provide materials, prompts and advice to tease out your own ekphrastic writing – writing that is inspired by art.

BOTANICAL ART WITH A TWIST

Discover a tonic for your creativity: gin, botanicals and your own abstract art. Sample a gin flight at Kilderkin Distillery before spending a relaxing afternoon painting in the private studio of artist Laura Day. This botanically-inspired workshop will see you create your own negative space abstract painting in the leafy surrounds of Mt Pleasant.

Kilderkin Distillery have also teamed up with Ballarat’s Mia & Talbot for gin-inspired candle-making workshops throughout winter.

For more botanical creations, join silversmith Claire McArdle in the floral surrounds of the Windflower store and make a unique piece of silver jewellery. Under the tutelage of Claire, you will use various tools, types of wax and techniques to create your own wax models, one of which will then be expertly crafted by Claire into a silver ring, a pair of earrings or pendant.

TRY YOUR HAND AT A RARE TRADE

The newly-opened Australian Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades offers a suite of practical workshops in purpose-built studios opposite Sovereign Hill. This winter, learn to craft a traditional wool cap or felt-needle a cute baby penguin. Delve into the ancient art forms of dilly bag making, mariner’s rope splicing, SAORI weaving and more.

WINDFLOWER X DIGBY CAKES
15 July 2023, Windflower

Floristry boutique Windflower are soon to open at their new digs at the former Unicorn Hotel (131 Sturt Street, Central Ballarat) and will be hosting creative workshops in a colourful and inspiring setting.

Louie Digby is Insta-famous for her rainbow shag cakes and vintage-style tiered wedding cakes. She’ll be sharing her tips and ticks to make the perfect frosting as well as piping techniques. There’ll be colour and mess but you’ll get to take home a delicious masterpiece.

Don’t forget to check out the ever-evolving outdoor exhibition in Unicorn Lane while you’re there.

TURKISH MOSAICS & CERAMIC PAINTING
Various upcoming dates, Brown Hill Hall

Art Masterclass is a boutique studio offering traditional craft workshops along with a mix of modern art classes in Melbourne and regional Victoria. In Ballarat, make your own Turkish tiled mosaic lamp followed by a sumptuous Turkish tea service with delicious treats and homemade shortbread cookies. Or paint a traditional ceramic bowl using techniques dating back to the 8th century.  

EXHIBITIONS & FESTIVALS

BALLARAT INTERNATIONAL FOTO BIENNALE
26 August – 22 October 2023, various venues city-wide

Now celebrating its 10th festival, the Ballarat International Foto Biennale will bring the work of leading international and Australian photographers to Ballarat for a 60-day program. Headline exhibitions include unconventional portraits by Yvonne Todd (New Zealand), surreal landscapes by Erik Johansson (Sweden), Polaroid exhibition Instant Warhol, and an exclusive show of 120 large-scale portraits by British photographer Platon. Visit the BIFB website to browse the full program and book tickets.

PERRIDAK ARTS
Open Tuesday – Saturday, 10am to 4pm
214 Mair Street, Central Ballarat

Perridak means Platypus in Wadawurrung language. This new art gallery is owned and operated by Ballarat & District Aboriginal Cooperative and shines a light on the stories and culture of First Nations people living in the local area. Works on display and for sale include paintings, weaving, jewellery and wooden artefacts, with all proceeds supporting First Nations creators and community programs.

For more things to do in and around Ballarat this winter, browse the full What’s On calendar.