The St Arnaud Raillery Hub Gallery is thrilled to announce the upcoming exhibition, “SHAC – Soldiers Hill Artist Collective,” set to officially open on July 27.
This exhibition features a diverse array of artworks from the eclectic Soldiers Hill Artist Collective (SHAC), a community-based group of artists with roots in the historic Soldiers Hill area of Ballarat.
SHAC, founded in 2015, started with a handful of residents who discovered that many of their neighbours were artists. Over time, the group has grown to include around twenty-five active members, ranging from established and emerging artists to those who are academically trained and self-taught. This mix of professional and amateur artists share a collective passion for the arts and community.
The SHAC members produce an impressive variety of artworks, including photography, jewellery, printmaking, textile art, felted art, weaving, oils, acrylics, watercolours, sculpture, furniture design, mixed media art, digital art, AI-generated art, drawing, letterpress printing, linocuts, and typography. This diverse collection showcases the rich talents and creative expressions within the group.
SHAC has a strong presence in Ballarat, holding regular exhibitions at notable venues such as the Mercure Hotel, Fairbanks Eye Gallery, ArtSpace Gallery, Backspace Gallery, and The Old Butchers Shop Gallery. The group also organises ArtWalk, an annual event that displays artwork in local cafes, shopfronts, businesses, and artists’ homes, fostering increased community involvement.
In collaboration with the Ballarat writer’s group Words Out Loud, SHAC has held two unique exhibitions where artists and writers respond to each other’s work, creating a dynamic and challenging creative exchange.
The most recent SHAC event, “SOLSTICE,” was a three-day celebration featuring an exhibition, workshops, and a pop-up shop, which received widespread acclaim.
In 2023, SHAC ventured beyond Ballarat with “SHAC on TRACK” at Willaura Modern, a community gallery in a renovated railway station. Building on this success, SHAC is excited to bring “SHAC on TRACK” to St Arnaud Raillery Hub Gallery this year. The exhibition promises to engage the local community with its diverse and captivating artworks.
Cliff Adeney, Chairman of SHAC, expresses the collective’s enthusiasm: “We are eagerly looking forward to showcasing our work at St Arnaud Raillery and connecting with the St Arnaud community. This exhibition is a testament to our shared love for the arts and our commitment to fostering artistic culture.
“Join us for this vibrant exhibition and experience the diverse talents of the Soldiers Hill Artist Collective. We look forward to welcoming you to the St Arnaud Raillery Hub Gallery.”
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 23 July 2024.