As we head into Winter, our city is brimming with heart-warming arts activity.

We are delighted to announce a new major public artwork. Artist Jade Oakley has been commissioned to create an installation at The Avenue Park (Linear Park). Come and meet her at our Pop-up art event! Over the next few months there are live performances, exhibition tours, a new exhibition coming in July and our ever-popular Winter school holiday activities. 

From public art to the numerous arts programs and events on offer, there is truly something for everyone. We’re always keen to hear how we can support creativity in the community, so if you have an idea or are looking for opportunities to get creative, make sure to get in touch!

Melton City Council is pleased to announce that artist, Jade Oakley, has been commissioned to create public artworks in The Avenue Park (also known as Linear Park), beside St Vincent Way, Caroline Springs.

Find out more about the artwork on our website here. 

How does nature grow?
How does a community grow?

Join artist Jade Oakley for art workshops at The Avenue Park to explore the theme of growth in nature and community, through art, drawing and conversation. You will also learn about a permanent public sculpture that will be installed in the park later in the year.

This free drop-in workshop includes all materials and is suitable for children and adults of all ages. Drop-in any time from 9am-1pm. Bring your family and friends!

Wednesday 8 June | 9am to 1pm | At the marquees next to The Avenue Park playground

*Note this program will move to CS Gallery, 193 Caroline Springs Boulevard in the event of heavy weather.

This all ages free event, curated by  Newprint producers Pookie and Deng Tebir, features an exciting rising scene of Neosoul, Rnb, Pop and hip-hop artists based in Melbourne and regional Victoria. 

Catch live performances by JAG, Soli, NOMAD, Dyspora, Rara Zulu, Lay, Malesh + Flexx, Achai, DJ Sovblkpssy plus dance crews K-start and AGG.

This event is part of the Newprint producers program supported by Multicultural Arts Victoria, Creative Victoria, and partnering with 4 municipalities including Melton City Council. Find more information  about the Newprint program here.

Saturday 29 May | 1pm to 5:30pm | Melton Community Hall, 238 High St. Melton

Join Wiradjuri soprano Shauntai Batzke for an evening at the opera!

To commemorate Reconciliation Week, Shauntai will sing a captivating selection of operatic pieces including arias by the much loved Puccini and a series of self-composed pieces.

This event is free and open to all; however bookings are required to monitor numbers.

Thursday 2 June | 6:30pm | Melton Library and Learning Hub

Image Credit: Kevin Peterson Photography

Get Up, Stand Up and Show Up this NAIDOC Week at our free, all ages Arts Market curated by proud Kamilaroi woman and local artist Lucy Webster. 

Join this family-friendly afternoon including handmade arts and crafts made by local Elders, a free BBQ, traditional games and a yarning circle.

Saturday 2 July  | 12:30 to 3:30pm | Melton Library & Learning Hub

Take your animation skills to the next level in this hands-on workshop that introduces tessellation and pattern design as animation techniques.

Play and experiment with colour, pattern and design in this fun, free and hands-on workshop where you will work towards creating a collaborative animation artwork with other workshop participants.

Best suited for children aged 8-12 years old.

Tuesday 5 July | 10:00am | CS Gallery

Explore how you can tell your family history through textile art in this weaving workshop with artist Ana Petidis!

Ana will work with adults and children (ages 10+) to create small frame looms and complete woven art pieces based on your own family histories and memories.

Bring any old textile/fabric/soft fabric materials that you would be willing to re-use in the weaving. You’ll take home your own textile piece!

Saturday 13 August | 1pm to 3:30pm | Melton Library and Learning Hub

Join local illustrator Audrey Buttigieg Cardona to start your own illustration book!

This session will show children how to observe their surrounds and turn daily events into imaginative stories. Children will take home an Art Book to keep drawing in. 

This workshop is suitable for primary aged children 5-12 years. All materials provided.

Saturday 20 August | 11am | CS Gallery
Saturday 20 August | 1:30pm | Melton Library and Learning Hub

Delve into the exciting world of art and ideas with our free introductory exhibition tours.

Designed for school and community groups, these 15-minute sessions are led by the Arts & Culture team at Melton City Council. Providing an overview of the exhibition, groups will learn about the artist’s concept, use of materials and the curatorial approach to the work.

Exhibition Tours available include:
Dis-Repair | CS Gallery (May-July)
Elements of Hannah Watts | Melton Library and Learning Hub (July-October)

To book a group tour or for more information, contact Autumn Tansey at artsandculture@melton.vic.gov.au or call 9747 5299.
Teachers and/or group leaders will need to make a booking in advance to ensure staff availability.

Local artist Lucy Webster explores traditional Aboriginal art styles in this exhibition designed to bring further awareness of Aboriginal culture to the wider community, and to encourage the Aboriginal community to share their knowledge and skills.

Using a strong colour palette and a mix of contemporary and traditional painting techniques, Lucy explores plants and animals from her own ancestral stories.

3 March 2022 to 10 July 2022 | Melton Library and Learning Hub

Image: Lucy Webster, Waraba (Turtle), 2020, acrylic on canvas.

Dis-Repair is a multi-sensory augmented reality exhibition by emerging artist Annie Murray, taking us into dystopian worlds full of empathy in the face of calamity.

Responding to the collective experience of unprecedented change, Dis-Repair reflects on loss and isolation while reaching for hope and reconnection. Accompanied by an original score by Paul Fletcher, and narration by actor Tom Richards, this skilfully animated exhibition invites us to seek redemption in our communal experience of difficulty. 

22 March 2022 to 28 July 2022 | CS Gallery 

Image: Annie Murray, ‘Winter Mountain Pass’, 2021, hand drawn digital print embedded with 3D augmented reality animation and audio

Join us for the Opening Event of local artist Christian Hansen’s exhibition, ‘Elements of Hannah Watts’.

This exhibition exploring the many sides to Melton’s beloved historical icon Hannah ‘Grannie’ Watts, features new works by Melton Arts & Culture’s Artist in Residence, Christian Hansen.

Thursday 21 July | 6pm | Melton Library and Learning Hub

Join us for the opening of local artist Julie Zapasa’s fantastical exhibition of large canvas paintings. Art, footy and mental health come together in this body of artworks about healthy gender roles.  Meet the artist, hear some of her original songs and enjoy roaming performances. 

Saturday 27 August  | 2pm | CS Gallery

In February 1871, the Melton Roads Board passed a motion to declare Melton a shire. This formality marked a crucial moment in the origins of the community of Melton as we know it today. This online exhibition has been created to mark 150 years since this historic event took place.

View the exhibition online.

A selection of images and stories from the virtual exhibition are currently on display at the Melton Civic Centre Foyer until December 2022.

Melton City Libraries is proud to launch this new collection showcasing personal items belonging to beloved midwife and Melton icon, Hannah Watts.

Items have been donated for temporary display by Hannah’s great-great-granddaughter, Beck Hart. 

View the collection:
May to August 2022 | Library Opening Hours | Melton Library and Learning Hub

Image Detail: Hannah Watts with her grandchildren Jack Burns and Lena Burns, from the Melton City Libraries collection

Do you love creating arts and crafts and are looking to make some likeminded friends? Come along to the Melton Central Arts Club and let your creativity run wild in our two purpose-built art studios.

This social art club is purely a social group, no instructor is provided. BYO craft project and materials. All craft abilities welcome and join the club anytime.

When: Thursdays: 11am to 2pm
Where: Melton Central Community Centre, 239 Station Rd, Melton

To join in call 9747 5437 or email meltoncentralcc@melton.vic.gov.au
Find Out More Here.

Some of Australia's best in the music industry are coming to town  for the sole purpose of entertaining you for free!

As for who the musicians are, we can’t tell you who just yet as we don’t want to ruin the surprise. The Melton City Much More Facebook page will be giving out some clues and announcing the artist a day or two out from the event, so keep your eyes peeled!

Sunday, 29 May 2022 |  2pm to 3pm
Sunday, 26 June 2022 | 2pm to 3pm

Love the theatre? Get Involved with Melton Performing Arts!

This community theatre organisation aims to involve as many members of the community as possible.

Expressions of interest are open for:

• Artistic Directors
• Sponsors and Partners- If you're an organisation, contact Dominic at dom@meltonpa.org.au
• Have some other skills to offer?

Image Credit: Mark Thompson.

Aintree Café & Garden is offering wall space and sales opportunities for artists who would like to gain experience in presenting artwork in a public setting. Artists can display work in the cafe and keep 100% of any sales.

If this has sparked your interest, contact Jono for more details at 0428 092 630 or weloveaintree@gmail.com