Invitation to enter regional exhibition

Gippsland artists invited to enter landmark regional exhibition

Artists of Gippsland - a contemporary touring exhibition - is inviting artists to join the landmark regional exhibition, with the call out open until August 28.

Artists of Gippsland is a major exhibition program celebrating the best of contemporary art from across Gippsland.

Artists living in the region have just four weeks remaining to submit their work for selection.

The program is presented by ArtSpace Wonthaggi with three galleries now confirmed for the tour: ArtSpace Wonthaggi, Meeniyan Art Gallery, and Coal Creek Art Space.

The opening exhibition launches at ArtSpace Wonthaggi on Sunday November 8 at 1pm, before the exhibition moves to Meeniyan Art Gallery and Coal Creek Art Space throughout 2027.

Artists of Gippsland is a re-activation of New Energies - a celebrated regional arts program initiated by South Gippsland Shire Council and Meeniyan Art Gallery, and curated by Meg Viney, that ran from 2000 to 2007 and showcased the finest contemporary artists from across Gippsland.

The new program extends the open call across all six Gippsland shires - Bass Coast, Baw Baw, East Gippsland, Latrobe Valley, Wellington, and South Gippsland - for the first time.

"When New Energies began in 2000, it revealed something we already suspected - that Gippsland was home to an extraordinary depth of artistic talent," said Meg Viney, ArtSpace Wonthaggi Committee and founding curator of New Energies.

"That program changed lives and opened doors. Artists of Gippsland picks up that torch with renewed ambition, and I am thrilled to be part of bringing it back.

"Gippsland has always produced artists of remarkable quality and originality.

"This program exists to shine a light on that talent - to give our artists the recognition, the audience, and the platform they deserve.

If you are an artist living in Gippsland, this is your exhibition," Meg said.

About the exhibition

Artists of Gippsland is a juried, select-entry exhibition open to all mediums - painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, ceramics, fibre art, mixed media and more.

Up to 12 artists will be selected, with up to three works each, by an esteemed panel of judges including Susan Purdy and Tony Hanning.

Selected works will be exhibited and for sale across the full touring period of approximately 12 months. The exhibition is non-acquisitive, and all works must be original - no AI-generated imagery will be accepted.

A wide promotional and social media campaign will support the tour, offering significant exposure and recognition for participating artists across the region and beyond.

How to enter

Entries are open now and close Friday August 28. Artists must live within the defined Gippsland region to be eligible. A non-refundable entry fee of $40 applies per submission.

To submit, artists are required to complete an online application form, provide high-resolution images of their work (minimum 300dpi), and pay the entry fee.

Full terms and conditions are available at www.artspacewonthaggi.com/artist-of-gippsland

Selected finalists will be notified by email by September 21.

The opening event at Wonthaggi Artspace will be held on Sunday November 8.

For more information and to submit an entry: www.artspacewonthaggi.com/artist-of-gippsland

Or email: artistsofgippsland@gmail.com