hills hoists the arts

Hills Hoisters and sponsors. From left to right:
Sound Engineer Dave Stergo, presenter Emma Johnson,
Cr Samantha Dunn - Yarra Ranges, performer
Carolyn Oates, presenter Jenny Hall, Community
Broadcasting Foundation rep Jon King and
Cr Graham Legge - Cardinia.

It's been terrific to be able to sponsor the Live Sessions on local radio station 3MDR, Hills Hoist show. The Live Sessions give local artists the chance to not only play live but they get a copy of their session which they can use into the future.

The Hills Hoist do a great job of showcasing local arts happenings in the Dandenong Ranges, it's great to be able to provide a helping hand to our local musos, who might not have an opportunity to record themselves.

I congratulate 3MDR and Hills Hoist driver, Emma Johnson, for their passion and enthusiasm for the local arts scene. They do a great job promoting the myriad of local arts events, no matter what the medium.

You can tune into the Hills Hoist every Friday at 1pm on 97.1FM (or stream here).

Hills Hoist thank their sponsors on youtube.

My attempt of reading the giguide on youtube.

have you got your lantern for the lantern parade?

One of the hills key events is coming up soon, yes it's that time again, winter solstice and the Belgrave Lantern Parade - 23 June.

Cr Samantha Dunn with this extraordinary lantern,
The Owl and the Pussycat, made by one of the
artists facilitating lantern workshops, Jane.

In the lead up to the parade, being held on Saturday 23 June, a number of workshops are being held so you can make your very own lantern, put some finishing touches on your lantern or revamp an old lantern.

Local artist, Emma Johnson is also part of the Lantern
Workshop team. Emma is creating these simple but
effective butterfly lanterns out of old milk & juice containers.
If you don't get a chance to make your own lantern, these
will be available on the night to purchase. 

It's been terrific to visit the various lantern workshops so far and see the creativity of people unleashed. It augers well for yet another stunning display of lanterns at this year's Belgrave Lantern Parade.

The recent Upwey Grassroots Market had a lantern
making workshop, pictured left to right:
Cr Samantha Dunn, Dianne Lagerway - Grassroots
Market organiser, Renate Crow - fantastic lantern
maker & Gill Cruikshank - fantastic lantern maker. 

If you'd like to find out when the workshops are being held visit the Belgrave Lantern Parade website.

The Belgrave Lantern Parade website also has details on lantern making tips, how to volunteer and FAQ's.

And don't forget to mark 23 June in your diary, whether you're a spectator or part of the parade this is a wonderful community event not to be missed.

open studios open for business

What a wonderful display of creativity this year's open studio in the Dandenong Ranges is.

Glass artist, Kirsten Laken, from Spirit of Glass (Studio 16) 
and Cr Samantha Dunn. This is Kirsten's wonderful creation
as part of this year's open studio. It's an extraordinary piece
made out of recycled chandeliers and a beautiful piece of
wood sourced locally in Kallista.

On for two days over the weekend of 26 & 27 May and in its ninth year, the event is going from strength to strength.




Cr Samantha Dunn, with the Juet Sculpture team,
Michael Hyett and Martin Judd - Studio 6. Michael
and Martin used reclaimed materials, including steel, iron
copper and stone to make their beautiful garden sculptures.

This weekend artists throw open their studios and encourage visitors to walk through their space, chat to the artists and perhaps buy a piece you like.

Yarra Ranges Council is pleased to support Open Studios through a community cultural grant.

It's not too late to get to see some wonderful art in a beautiful environment. Artists studios will be open again on Sunday(27/5) from 10am to 5pm. If you'd like to know more, visit Open Studios here.

Local artist, Emma Johnson with Cr Samantha Dunn
at the lantern making workshop - Studio 13.
Emma is part of the team behind this year's
Belgrave Lantern Parade, you can make your own
lantern for the parade on the 23rd June, get some
help at a lantern making workshop or purchase
one of these gorgeous butterfly lanterns.

If you're not sure where to head, perhaps start at Burrinja and visit Curves and Corners, the Open Studios group exhibition for a taste of many of the artists in this years event.

You can find Burrinja at 351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey.

hills hoists the flag

Congratulations to Hills Hoist and it's presenters, Jenny Hall and Emma Johnson.

Pictured left to right: Jenny Hall, Cr Samantha Dunn and Emma Johnson in the 3MDR studio.

The Hills Hoist, local arts radio show on community radio station 3MDR (97.1) took out the Best Community Content award in a recent vote of listeners.

The Hills Hoist is dedicated to bringing the latest arts news to listeners in the Dandenong Ranges. They provide regular features, including the recently launched Live Sessions, and a weekly gig guide.

It's a great show and compulsory listening for those interested in the local arts scene.

burrinja bursting with talent

Today I went to the launch of Mapping - Territories and Landscape by Heather Fairnie at Burrinja. The exhibition explores the intersections of mapping across Western and Indigenous art traditions and includes works by Heather and works from the Burrinja Indigenous Collection.

Ross Farnell, Executive Officer of Burrinja and co-curator of Mapping, Heather Fairnie, artist and me at the opening of Mapping - Territories and Landscape.

Heather says her works depict imagined landmarks as marks without location, without history, yet they are marks that assimilate a location. Looking at her work is like looking at imagined landscapes from an aeroplane. It is quite intriguing and well worth a visit.

At the same time I bumped into Emma Johnson, artist in residence at Burrinja, who is working on her exhibition, Another Dead Possum. Emma is creating her work during the exhibition with work space set up in the corner of the gallery. Emma has also created a giant laughing blackboard face where community members are encouraged to draw whatever they are inspired to.

Emma Johnson and me in front of the 3mt x 3mt collage Emma is creating as part of her exhibition.

Feeling like a bit of face art, the Jarmbi Gallery at Burrinja is the place to do it. A celebration of Emma’s exhibition will be held 7:00pm on 31st July at Burrinja.