What better way to appease the bitter winter cold than to wrap yourself in a warm blanket of amazing local art that will be on offer at the upcoming Little Gallery annual Winter Fundraising exhibition!
One of central victoria’s premier art spaces the Little Gallery is set to host this much anticipated and highly celebrated mid-year show of regional fine art, which opens today at 5.30pm in Trentham – all welcome.
This year’s Winter Show artists are Dale Cox, Nadia Kliendanze, Julie McKenzie, Mark Dober, Jill Noble, Antoinette Braybrook, Neil Matterson, Brian Falkenberg, Rowena Hannan, Diane Thompson, Maxine McKee, Jonathon Lane, Fiona Orr, Jennifer Leggett, Jody Galvin, and Emma McAdam-Marmont in collaboration with Struan Hopwood along with the Little Gallery resident artists Rose Wilson, Helen Cottle, Kim Haughie, Maria Coyle and Jimmy Rix.
“Each year we source 16 artists from the region (this year we have six artists from Castlemaine), including emerging, established and award winning painters, printmakers, sculptors and ceramicists for the Winter Show,” said Rose Wilson, one of the founding members of the gallery.
“On the back of the fundraising element, this outstanding show gives the opportunity for local artists to exhibit collectively and celebrates our artistic diversity. In addition, it places central Victoria as a premier destination for art.”
The Little Gallery relies on the greater community for its ongoing support, which has been critical to its success as a small regional artist-run gallery spanning 14 years.
The fundraising element of the Winter Show is a way the gallery can give back in kind. As a not-for-profit gallery the proceeds on all sold artworks are donated to a local charitable organisation, which can benefit the communities in some way.
This year’s beneficiary is Trentham Health supporting the ‘Treehouse Program’, which helps local people living at home with dementia. The program promotes independence and engagement by maintaining social connections in a positive, safe environment, and to remain part of their local community. In addition, it provides families and carers an opportunity for some respite.
To coincide with the exhibition, an art raffle is offered whereby the Little Gallery’s collective of artists generously donate a piece of high quality fine art. This highly anticipated raffle is very popular, and the full proceeds of the raffle goes directly to the recipient. To purchase your tickets online visit www.trenthamlittlegallery.com or call in to the gallery during opening hours.
As an added bonus, this year’s Winter Show falls within NAIDOC week and guest speaker and also exhibiting in this year’s show is Indigenous artist Antoinette Braybrook AM, the founding CEO of Djirra, which supports First Nations women and children experiencing family violence.
The Winter Show has gained momentum over the years and is now a standout calendar event around the region, so rug up and celebrate the opening, which always draws big crowds. The show will run for three consecutive weeks from July 12 to 28.
The Little Gallery is open 10-4 Thursday to Monday at 34b High Street Trentham. It is sponsored by Hepburn Shire as a community event.
The Little Gallery’s resident artists Rose Wilson, Maria Coyle, Helen Cottle and Kim Haughie. 
