The latest offering in the flourishing partnership between Multicultural Arts Victoria and the Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery is the second solo exhibition of Jayshree Leigh, entitled Brush Strokes of Essence. Jayshree was born in Kenya and brought up in England from the age of two. Looking for a major life change, Jayshree immigrated to Victoria 18 months ago, and this has added a new and exciting dimension to the essence of her work. Through this exhibition, Jayshree continues to express her love of the natural world and tries to capture the very essence of the places she visits or the emotions she felt there using vibrant colours, brush marks and patterns. Brush Strokes of Essence is on at the Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery from 14 November to 16 December.

In these days of giant supermarkets and department stores, it’s important to remember the role local businesses play in our community. A current exhibition at the Immigration Museum, Open for (more than) business, celebrates those local businesses, particularly in migrant communities in Melbourne . Many local businesses offer more than just a service. They can act as community hubs and provide links to a homeland while also helping recently arrived migrants establish a connection with their new home. The exhibition is open every day at the Immigration Museum from 10am to 5pm, until 27 May 2012. 

Bonegilla Migrant Experience presents a new Greek exhibition - From Petronis and Ekaterina to Peter and Catherine, Greek Journeys Through Bonegilla - an interpretation about the experiences of Greek migrants who stayed at Bonegilla.

A documentary screening at the Regent Theatre in Ballarat follows two Sudanese refugees on their extraordinary journey from Africa to America . Tickets $15 and all funds raised go to support ACKAPA and Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council (BRMC) programs. 

La zia Adriana invites you to Cafe Romantica in Lygon Street to practice your Italian with a mother tongue Italian teacher and to make new friends. Italian in a suitcase ($30) takes place every Tuesday until 6 December between 7.30pm and 8.30pm and Happiness is a glass of vino and a panino ($40) takes place every Saturday until 10 December between 3pm and 5pm.

We love to hear what you have planned. You can submit your events and details of any new resources with a multicultural focus via the form on our website. These get added to our online Community Noticeboard and Events Calendar. Selected listings will be included in the VMC Update each fortnight. Click on the link below to find out what's going on around multicultural Victoria .