open studio, open for business

This year's Dandenong Ranges Open Studio marks 10 years of artists throwing open their doors to visitors over an autumn weekend in the Dandenongs.



It was terrific to see local artist Neil McLeod drop in to the opening
of the Open Studio Group Exhibition at Burrinja, we were
joined by local artist Joy Serwylo, who has been exhibiting as
part of Open Studios every year since the exhibition's inception.
Back in 2000 Neil McLeod donated a significant collection of
indigenous art to the people of Yarra Ranges, a very generous
and wonderful gift.

Be sure to pencil Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 April into your diary for a weekend of art, good food, fine company and gorgeous scenery up in the Dandenong Ranges.

Don't forget to drop into Burrinja to visit the group exhibition, remember 20% of Open Studio purchases at Burrinja go to local emergency relief agency, the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service.

For more info on Open Studios click here.

burrinja community celebration day

Well it's been quite a journey for our community. From council amalgamations which saw our Shire of Sherbrooke offices under threat of sale by the Commissioners, a long and passionate community campaign to keep our shire offices and turn them into a community cultural centre, the trials and tribulations of funding, design and construction through to a $9million performing arts facility. What a journey!

And this Saturday is the day when all of community can come and celebrate their achievements at the Burrinja Community Celebration Day.

Saturday 30th July will be a free day of activities throughout the centre, including:
The official opening by Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Terry Avery
Performances in a brand spanking new theatre by Burrinja Choir for a Day, Singularity, Mullum Mullum Indigenous Dancers, Ranges Young Strings, Utassy Ballet School, GEMCO and many more local groups
4 new art exhibitions including Stories of Song and Dance - showcasing items from the Burrinja/McLeod Gift Collection (thanks Neil - we're indebted to your generosity), Our Place-Our Space - Koori Art exploring the theme of identity in contemporary Australia, Focus - a group photographic exhibition behind the scenes of Utassy and ActUp and Rodney Saulwick: Silent Speech and GUIs, a retrospective of Rodney's work
Bush tucker in the newly created Art of Place Indigenous Garden
Mask Making workshop, indigenous weaving, films from the Black Screen Festival
Tours of the centre, led by a dedicated bunch of wonderful Burrinja volunteers
To end the day, the grand finale, a live performance of Peter and the Wolf by the Nicholas Chamber Orchestra with special guest narrator Derek Guille. (small fee of $7 for this one and starts at 4:30pm)

To download a program click here.

What a great way to open, I look forward to seeing you there.

jack dale mengenen launched

It was terrific to go to the launch of Neil McLeod's new book about prominent indigenous artist, Jack Dale Mengenen last week. Not only about Jack's artwork, the book details Jack's life growing up in the Kimberley and his insights into his culture and traditions.

Pictured from left to right: Cr Samantha Dunn, Neil McLeod, Tiriki Onus and Cr Noel Cliff with one of Jack's works in the background.

The launch coincides with the latest exhibition at Burrinja, Stories of Ancestors. It features works by members of the Nganjmirra family from Western Arnhem land, some of them never exhibited before.

It's well worth a visit, visually breathtaking.