On the Local Arts Trail in June 2026
— with Alison Desmond —
It’s getting a little darker and quieter in our neck of the woods but there is still plenty of bright, energising artworks to view in galleries across the shire…
Ballan Library and Community Hub
Lou Callow’s new exhibition While Mother Earth Gently Weeps describes a grieving mother who “continues to nurture and sustain all living species - connecting us continually to her life-giving force.”
The titular painting is an ominous polluted, war-ravaged nightmarish scene, yet still the mother’s hands hold up and bring order, harmony and balance to the composition.
Ballan Library and Community Hub is open 10am to 6pm Monday to Thursday, 10am to 5pm Fridays, and 9am to 2pm Saturdays
Ballan Art Space
Prime real estate for a fairy, Miranda Williamson’s Fairy Life is part of the group exhibition Phantasy - Dreams in Transit, on until June 28.
Step carefully inside the secret garden and knock on the door to the neat little magical toadstool house, surrounded by flowers and growing up toward the twinkling stars.
This playful, imaginative little illustration wakes up the magic of joyful childhood memories and traditional folklore.
Flack Post and Telegraph Office
Trash Turkey, portraying the Australian brush turkey, is one of several acrylic paintings by Janet Fuller from King Island, revealing “stories connecting her to her past, community and environment,” showing at Flack until June 7.
The trash turkey is majestically characterised with wings outstretched but cropped to hone in on detail, with wild variations in feathers covering a powerful bone and wing structure.
Light reflects off one beady black eye and the smooth extended curved beak off to one side.
Karen Kirby is also currently exhibiting paintings.
Flack will be closed for the winter break, from 12 June to 26 July.
Flack Post and Telegraph Office is open 11am to 2pm Fridays and Sundays and 10am to 3 pm Saturdays
Oak Grove Gallery, Ballan
Marty Cleal is a landscape and seascape painter - he goes out to sketch onsite and take notes, then returning to paint in his studio in the historic Ballan News office.
He paints in the tradition of the Australian Impressionist evident in his perspective and colouring.
Marty also accepts commissions.
For Moorabool’s best views drop in and see him, open most days “depending on the mood”
Gordon Bar Room Gallery
One of the best ways to spend a Saturday morning is to visit Gordon - have brunch at the renowned Gordons on Gordon, buy your produce at the Gordon Farmgate and, of course, visit the gallery.
Gordons Bar Room Gallery has a rotating stock of wonderful treasures, all locally made and exquisitely handcrafted, including ceramics, jewellery, textiles, original paintings, giftcards and more.
Gordons Bar Room Bar Room Gallery is open 10am to 2pm Saturdays
MAPP Up in Lights, Bacchus Marsh
The natural light is breathtaking in Justin Nemeth’s photography exhibition, showing in both MAPP Galleries until the the end of June.
“The series contrasts untouched natural environments with agriculture, infrastructure and the communities shaped by the land,” said Justin.
Photographs were taken at Lerderderg State Forest, Werribee Gorge and Bostock Reservoir.
Public and Community Arts
Moorabool Shire has an amazing collection of public art, from markers of place in bush settings, to Ballan’s cosily yarn-bombed Inglis Street, to eye-catching paste-ups in the townships.
You can find out more about Moorabool’s public art pieces at the Moorbool Shire website
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.
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