Bass Coast Arts news and features

Award-winning authors Lucinda Bain and Rees Quilford will talk about the role of daydreaming in the creative process, writing as self-exploration, and the place of “I”.

By Catherine Watson

LIKE most people, I avoid articles, books and documentaries about climate change. Not that I’m a climate sceptic but I’ve got the gist. Why waste my limited intellectual and emotional energy on something I can’t change?

But what if I read this?
“In truth, the kind of life I lead with a houseful of young children can easily become monotonous. But at least once a year our domestic routine is interrupted by packing lists, camp gear and late night batch cooking and we find ourselves - my husband, three daughters and I – facing into the wind on the crisp shores of Norman Bay, our long shadows reaching into the earth, the oceanic air washing us clean of suburban tedium."

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Story time, at last

18/10/2023

Brian Nankervis will be bringing stories, poetry and music to the Festival of Stories Saturday night session. With special guest Jane Clifton.

By Catherine Watson

IT’S back! After a three-year break, the Phillip Island Festival of Stories returns on November 18 in Bass Coast’s new cultural home, Berninneit.

The first three festivals (2017-19) established their credentials for innovative and themed programming. This was far more than a marketplace for authors to spruik their books.

The 2019 festival was a triumph, featuring a Booker prize winner (Thomas Kenneally), a Nobel Peace Prize winner (Dave Sweeney) and a Miles Franklin Award winner Melissa Lucashenko, plus the legendary writer/actor/performer Uncle Jack Charles in conversation with local musician and storyteller Kutcha Edwards.

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His master's voice

18/9/2023

It’s in G, Grouse by Ellen Palmer-Hubble

ELLEN Palmer-Hubble’s soulful portrait of Bass Coast Mayor Michael Whelan and his kelpie Grouse has been selected for Hidden Faces - the 2023 Victorian Salon des Refusés Exhibition, which went live online last week.

Ellen submitted It’s in G, Grouse for the 2023 Archibald Prize.

In her artist’s statement, Ellen says she wanted to depict the inner game of music. “Music comes from a connection to an inward focus. It is the musician who has the gift of refined listening; the key to imparting the aesthetic of music.

“Michael is playing a ‘G’ chord while Grouse, his loyal kelpie is listening intently. I wanted this visual to appear audible for the viewer to listen and also become absorbed.”

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Painting with words

18/8/2023

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Write on ... From left, Geoff Ellis, Clair Williams, Karen Bateman, Kit Fennessy, Brook Tayla, Jillian Durance and Laurie Martin

By Catherine Watson

THE expression “a picture paints a thousand words” is in praise of art, but Inverloch artist John Mutsaers has a different take.

“I regard writing as the highest art because you can put pictures into people’s heads with a few words,” he told a group of writers who gathered at Wonthaggi’s ArtSpace last month. The writers were among a group of 12 chosen to be part of unique cross-cultural project.

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John Frohlich Q&A

18/7/2023

Festival director John Frohlich

The Post caught up with the director of the Bass Coast Shorts Film Festival while he was en route from Berlin to Wonthaggi for the second festival from August 4-6.

Post: How many entries did you get for Bass Coast Shorts?

John Frohlich: We ended up with 90 film submissions and will be screening 48 films across the festival's four screenings; Friday 4 August, opening night, Saturday 5 August, afternoon and evening and Sunday afternoon, 6 August.

Post: Are the local films telling local stories or generic ones?

JF: Good question. We have a number of films which have the ocean front and centre, which is not surprising given we have a Coastal Life category. Lots of beautiful underwater and coastal cinematography in a variety of stories. I think audiences will really respond to these films because of their sheer beauty and also their themes.

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Flying high

19/6/2023

The Bass Coast Chorale presents its annual mid-year concert, Beyond the Clouds, in The Shed at the State Coal Mine in Wonthaggi on Sunday, July 2 at 2pm. Photo: Ken Elliott

By Larry Hills

THE Bass Coast Chorale has been entertaining audiences from Bass Coast and South Gippsland for 18 years. During that time, we’ve presented many concerts on our own as well as joining forces for major works with other Gippsland choirs such as the South Gippsland Singers, the Prom Coast Singers and the West Gippsland Chorale. The profits from our concerts have contributed more than $28,000 to local charities.

Beyond the Clouds brings together a wide range of music: traditional, contemporary, classical, original, popular, opera and music from the shows.

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Wanted: 12 brave writers

12/6/2023

John Mutsaers wants to collaborate with local writers for his upcoming exhibition.

By Catherine Watson

INVERLOCH artist John Mutsaers is fascinated by the intersection of the visual and literary arts.

To mark his August exhibition at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre in Traralgon, curated by Gabriella Duffy of the Latrobe Regional Gallery, he wants to work with writers who will respond to a series of his paintings and drawings, based on his own childhood.

Each writer will be paired with a painting, a drawing and a cue card. John says the cue could be a quote and the connection might not be obvious.

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Meeting of musical minds

18/5/2023

Michelle Nelson and Tania Ravbar

BASS Coast classical guitarists Michelle Nelson and Tania Ravbar are making up for lost Covid time with a recital at Cowes on Sunday.

The two accomplished musicians met by chance after moving to Bass Coast, Michelle to Wonthaggi and Tania to Grantville.

Both performers have many years of experience and achievements, including guitar competition and composition awards, regular airplay on ABC Classics and the MBS network, and many performances in groups and chamber concerts.

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A right royal occasion

16/5/2023

The winners of last year’s Corinella and District Art Show, from left, Deborah Yanz (1st Prize Modern 3D), judge Bianca Beizus Stefani, Keith Steward (Lions Club Local Artist Prize), Linley Northcott (Highly Commended, Modern Abstract), Trish Hart (1st Prize Watercolour), Theresa Upton (1st Prize Modern 2D), MP Jordan Crugnale, Janice Orchard (Ramon Horsfield Memorial Prize), Libby Skidmore (Highly Commended Pastel) and Cr Clare Le Serve. Absent Jill Rogers (Best in Show).

By Libby Skidmore

TO CELEBRATE the first King’s Birthday holiday weekend, the opening night of the Corinella and District Community Centre Art Show and Sale will have a touch of class.

Patrons are encouraged to dress to impress. Crowns and tiaras are optional and will add a bit of fun on the night.

The opening is on Friday June 9 at 7.30pm. Tickets are $15 which includes a catered supper and drinks.

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The art of uncertainty

9/5/2023

By Ellen Hubble

FOR this year’s Winter Solstice exhibition at ArtSpace Wonthaggi, we are asking artists to respond to the theme of climate change and the concept of uncertainty.

We are very pleased that Bass Coast Mayor Michael Whelan will be doing the official opening on Sunday June 4, 1-4pm. Michael is a strong advocate for climate action.

Prizes will be awarded in Open and Emerging Artist sections and there will be a People’s Choice award.

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This one's for Nature!

9/5/2023

Phil Henshall’s Help! will be raffled to raise funds for the woodlands campaign.

By Catherine Watson

SOME years ago Phil Henshall stopped his car as an echidna slowly crossed the Bass Highway in front of him. Half a dozen vehicles stopped behind him as the tiny vulnerable creature made it safely to the bush on the other side.

That brush with nature was the inspiration for his new painting Help! which will be raffled this month to support the campaign to end sand mining in the Western Port Woodlands.

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In the flow

22/4/2023

In his 81st year, John Mutsaers’ stamina might be diminishing but
his creativity is blossoming.

By Catherine Watson

JOHN Mutsaers admits his stamina is diminishing and his shoulders hurt after a long session in front of the easel. But there are compensations. In his 81st year, he feels his creativity blossoming. He is full of ideas for works and series.

Which is why, despite the physical aches and pains, he has set himself an ambitious schedule of three solo exhibitions for 2023: one in Bairnsdale a retrospective to mark his 40th year as a professional artist; and two in Traralgon and Wonthaggi featuring new works.

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Short and sharp

13/4/2023

“Anyone can make a short film,” says John Frohlich, right, on the opening night of last year's film festival with arts officer David Burrows, left, and local filmmakers Terry Melvin and Laura Brearley.

By Catherine Watson

JUST don’t suggest to John Frohlich that a short film is a second-best version of a “real” film. The director of the Bass Coast Shorts Film Festival believes short films are where the real creativity is happening these days.

What makes short films so interesting, he says, is that they offer independence. That’s precisely because they are so cheap to make – or even free.

“Anyone can make a short film these days,” Frohlich says. “You can do it on your phone, use free editing software, copyright-free music and special effects.

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The art of the matter

23/3/2023

Ken Griffiths’ “Hippeastrums” will be raffled at the Inverloch Art Show
to raise money to buy food boxes for local people in need.

By Deb Watson

LIFE can take a turn for the worst for any of us. Imagine contemplating a Christmas without enough food to feed your two young kids. Not even the basics. Now imagine a knock at your door and you open it to find two people you’ve never met carrying a box each. These boxes are for you and your family and you open them to find enough food to get you through … and a couple of extras for the kids.

Local textiles artist and foodie Karin Ellis had just that experience when she was a young mother living up in the Dandenongs. The knock at the door came from a local community organisation that helped those in need.

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The thrill of the chase

14/12/2022

Tamara Bailey, The Owl and the Pussycat, Type C photograph. Part of the 2023 Summer Pop Up Exhibition

By Warren Nicholls

“WARREN, there’re 5000 artists living in Gippsland,” Simon Gregg, director of the Gippsland Art Gallery, once told me. So what have I got to worry about as planning starts mid-year for selection of artists for the fourth Phillip Island Contemporary Exhibition Space’s (PICES) 2023 Summer Pop Up Exhibition?

The artists are out there. Now it’s the daunting part: the artist selection. I remind myself to adhere to PICES’ purpose to introduce a high standard of contemporary art to Phillip Island’s local and visiting public – and follow the process! Process? Can’t be that difficult, can it?

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Calling artists and art lovers

20/10/2022

Federation Bouquet by Janice Orchard contains the floral emblems of all Australian states and territories and celebrates the reopening of borders. Janice painted the Federation Bouquet in response to being separated from family and friends during the border closures of the Covid years and it signifies the celebration of being able to gather together again with the opening of the borders. The boot is an ongoing motif for the annual KernArt exhibition.

By Janice Orchard

ARTISTS of all ages and abilities are once again invited to enter the KernART Prize with a total prize pool of over $2000.

A not-for-profit fund raiser, KernART is raising funds for children of people with mental health issues. The proceeds of the art show will help Bass Coast Health provide local children with what they need to live a happier life supported by their peer groups, whether it is through sporting activities, arts and crafts or music.

Now in its seventh year, KernArt is on again at the Kernot Community Hall on the Melbourne Cup weekend.

Open to artists of all abilities, the prize aims to bring together a community of art-loving and art-starting people from across Bass Coast, South Gippsland and beyond.

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Coronet Bay in lights

22/9/2022

The latest Luminous Galleries exhibition, Alice in Wonderland, is
the Coronet Bay foreshore until October 1.

By Ann Brown

IT STARTED in 2017 with the launch of Luminous Galleries across the Waterline towns of Coronet Bay, Corinella, Tenby Point, Grantville and Pioneer Bay.

Five years later, Coronet Bay still celebrates with several exhibitions each year on the Coronet Bay foreshore, using in-ground lights that were installed as part of the Small Towns Transformation project.

It is amazing to think that we are still going. From a handful of people to nearly 30 now. From a managed group to an independent collective of diverse individuals. Our motto seems to have evolved by itself … acceptance of all. I think this has resulted in exhibits where differing styles come together to create the fun of each exhibition.

Before Covid we met regularly in workshops. During Covid lockdowns we kept going independently. Letterbox drops and texts helped us co-ordinate. We erected the displays during lockdown respites.

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The backward glance

16/9/2022

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Self portrait by Heather Tobias. With her first solo show coming up, Heather is looking at her own work with fresh eyes.

By Catherine Watson

IN HEATHER Tobias’s 85th year, the last thing she was expecting was her first solo exhibition. “It’s taken all this time,” she marvels.

Not that Heather is Wonthaggi’s Grandma Moses. She was part of a vibrant Bass Coast arts scene from the 1980s to the early 2000s, and actually taught art and used to show her work in the annual Bass Coast Art Group exhibitions – but this is the first time her work has been exhibited as a collection.

Earlier this year, ArtSpace Wonthaggi curators Ursula Theinert, Susan Hall and Karin Ellis visited Heather after hearing she wanted to exhibit some of her work in the gallery. “We were amazed at the breadth of work that had been tucked away unseen for so many years,” Karin recalls.

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Portrait of a town

16/8/2022

Local footy at the Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve, 2012. Photo: Brian Carr

By Brian Carr

TEN years ago a group of 19 photographers descended on Wonthaggi for a fortnight. I was one of them.

MAP (Many Australian Photographers) is a collective of documentary photographers with a passion for recording the world around them. The group had just completed a remarkable project called Beyond Reasonable Drought, culminating in a book and a traveling exhibition.

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The art of reconciliation

22/7/2022

BCAL students visit the NAIDOC Exhibition of Indigenous Art. Photos: Kate Harmon

AS THE echoes of a thousand people marching over the Phillip Island Bridge reverberated across Bass Coast, a group of artists and photographers visited ArtSpace at the Wonthaggi Centennial Centre to view this year's NAIDOC Exhibition of Indigenous Art.

The group consisted of students from Bass Coast Adult Learning's (BCAL) Thru the Lens photography and Exploring Art classes, capacity building programs funded through the NDIS to enable people to use their talents and abilities in a welcoming environment.

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Calling artists

22/7/2022

The third PICES pop-up exhibition attracted a great range of work
by diverse artists.

By Sandra Peeters

IT'S an exciting time of year for PICES (Phillip Island Contemporary Exhibition Space) as it seeks contemporary artists across Bass Coast and beyond for the fourth PICES summer pop-up exhibition.

PICES is calling for expressions of interest from established or emerging contemporary artists who have not yet exhibited in the pop-ups. The exhibition will be at the Ramada Resort in Cowes from January 3-31, 2023.

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Lighting up winter

30/6/2022