On the Local Arts Trail in April 2025

— with Alison Desmond —


Autumn is a season Moorabool artists know well, and the time of year is well reflected in Exhibitions at our galleries this April.

 

• Artist: Bernie McRitchie

April Bacchchat, Lerderderg Library

Catch one of our region’s photographers in conversation this month.

Bernie McRitchie is thrilled to be discussing his 12 years experience capturing Moorabool’s stunning birds and wildlife, fascinating stories and adventures, at Lerderderg Library from 10am to 12noon on Saturday April 5.


• Artist: Emma Buzza

BMAC GALLERY

BMAC will host their monthly meeting, with refreshments provided, and a fun workshop with Emma Buzza. 

Working with vintage postcards and photographs, Emma will share techniques for altering ephemera, from 1pm to 3pm on April 15.

Her nostalgic exhibition, Wish You Were Here will be shown in the Moore Space for the month of April.

Lerderderg Library is open Monday to Saturday, check the website for times

 

• Artist: Amanda Western

Flack PTO

Amanda Western is making a name for herself far and wide with large-scale, exquisitely detailed photographic linoprints of birds and wildlife, such as her scruffy characterisation of the Tawny Frogmouth

The simple application of black block ink to the complex printing matrix results in a beautifully-crafted integral portrait

Flack’s expanded giftshop has lots of beautiful handmade treasures for Easter and Mother’s Day gifts, and will feature a new wall display from April 25.

Flack Post and Telegraph Office is open 10am to 3pm Thursday, Friday, Saturday

 

• Artist: Martin Cleal

Oak Grove Gallery

New at Oak Grove this month, Martin Cleal’s Over Anglesea is a typically impressionistic, commanding beach scene communicating the harshness of the Australian midday sun in summer.

A broad, sun-drenched, soft sandy path winds past spliced clay cliffs with brush nestled close to the forms

The horizontal shoreline curls around the width of the plane optimising vastness of distance, and the azure blue ocean reflects an entire weather system of puffed out clouds, the sky waving like a banner.

For Moorabool’s best views visit Marty at Oak Grove Gallery, open 11am to 4pm, Wednesday to Sunday


 

• Artist: Vanessa Magill

Ballan Art Space

Ballan Art Space has another top-secret group exhibition which should be a zesty, spicy feast for the eyes,  opening Friday, April 18.

The group’s annual Autumn exhibition, including a lot of natural, seasonal hues and themes, has been a great hit as always.

Vanessa Magill’s butterfly motif monoprint Autumn Radiance was a great twist on the theme and wonderfully executed, fresh and modern.

Autumn will run until Sunday, April 13.

Ballan Art Space is open 10am to 3pm Thursday to Sunday

 

Gordon Bar Room Gallery

Gordon Bar Room Gallery is turning one year old! Yes it’s their birthday this month so if you haven’t visited for a while take the opportunity to check out the ever-changing array of homewares, giftwares and art.

The gallery sells ceramics by various artists, paintings, sculpture, jewellery, scarves, giftcards and much more.

Gordon Bar Room Gallery is open 10am to 2pm Saturdays

 

MAPP Up in Lights

The Ballan outdoor MAPP Gallery is currently being repositioned within AA McLean Reserve, and so will be out of action for a few months.

But showing at the Bacchus Marsh MAPP Gallery until 18 April is an exhibition by local illustrator, Jonathan Hall titled, Art searching for value.

The works depict caricatures of mythical creatures along with designs created utilising the  Zentangle art practice,  a method of drawing structured patterns to create images using string-like lines to define areas and repetitive patterns or tangles.  

As part of this exhibition you will see examples of Jonathan’s character designs and recent storyboards he has created for film.

Moorabool artists are encouraged to apply to exhibit in the MAPP Up in Lights galleries - check the Moorabool Shire Council Arts & Culture webpage for details.


About On the Local Arts Trail

The Local Arts Trail column is released through our monthly eNewsletter and on this website at the start of each month.

If you have an arts-related exhibition or event you’d like to let us know about, you can use our Submit an Event form.

Keep in touch with the local arts scene by following us on Facebook and Insta, and be sure to sign up for our monthly eNewsletter.

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ANZAC Day 2025