YARRA VALLEY ARTS | OCTOBER 25 NEWSLETTER
YARRA VALLEY ARTS | OCTOBER 25 NEWSLETTER
From the Committee - Save The Dates!
The Annual General Meeting of Yarra Valley Arts will be held on Tuesday 25 November at 6.30pm at the Nan Francis Room, Memo Hall, Healesville. Formal notice of the meeting will be provided by 11 November 2025.
A member’s meeting will be held on Tuesday 11 November at 6.30pm also at the Nan Francis Room, Memo Hall, Healesville. The purpose of this meeting is for the Committee to present the Strategic Plan and discuss the future direction of Yarra Valley Arts.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Please Note: To attend and vote at the AGM, you must be a financial member of Yarra Valley Arts.
Spring Sessions in Full Bloom — Don’t Miss Out!
Observational Drawing: Awakening the Eye
Tue 5 Nov | 6:30 – 8:30 PM
The Memo, Meeting Room, Healesville
Limited spaces – book early!
Explore mindfulness through observational drawing.
Materials provided. Open to all levels – come slow down, tune in, and see creatively.
YVA Members Dinner
Thu 20 Nov | 6:30 PM
Various Yarra Valley Pubs & Eateries – Booking Essential
See the photo above from last month’s dinner, we loved seeing you all. Enjoy good food, great company, and great conversation with fellow members!
RSVP by 5 Nov for 20 Nov at Yarra Glen Grand Hotel.
The Crit Room: Thoughtful Artistic Feedback
Wed 12 Nov | 6:30 – 8:30 PM
The Memo, Upstairs Meeting Room, Healesville
A structured forum for feedback and professional growth. Open to emerging and established artists – connect, refine, and develop your creative practice in a welcoming, practical environment.
Life Drawing: Untutored
Wed 26 Nov | 6:30 – 8:30 PM | The Memo, Upstairs Meeting Room
Relaxed sessions with professional life models.
Materials provided. Limited to 20 participants – book early!
Open to all levels – come practice figure drawing in a welcoming, creative space.
Make & Mingle
Wed 19 Nov | 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Healesville Living & Learning Centre, Art Room
Gold coin donation!
Relaxed creative catch-up for members – bring your own project, enjoy refreshments, share ideas, and connect with fellow artists.
Easels available.
Open Studios 2025: Exhibition Launch & Weekend 1 Highlights
Open Studios 2025 officially launched last Thursday, and what a fantastic evening it was! It was wonderful to catch up with artists, members, and friends while celebrating the incredible talent in this year’s program. A huge thank you to everyone who made it possible.
The Open Studios Exhibition is open until Sunday 26 October. The perfect chance to explore the artworks, enjoy the creativity, and maybe even take home a favourite piece before visiting the studios.
Weekend 1 saw artists across the Yarra Valley opening their studios to visitors, with many recording strong sales and exciting opportunities. We are so grateful for everyone’s energy and participation!
If you missed out, don’t worry! Weekend 2 is coming up this weekend on the 25–26 October. Come along, visit studios, meet the artists, and immerse yourself in the vibrant creativity of the Yarra Valley!
Create, Learn, Connect: Workshops This Month
Comic Master Class
Fri 31 Oct 2025 | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Learn the art of comic and graphic novel storytelling from world-class artists:
Mandy Ord
David Blumenstein
Fionn McCabe
Frantz Kantor.
Bring yourself, your favourite art materials and a sense of creative adventure.
Resilience In Colour Workshop By Nillumbik Arts
Sat 22 Nov | 9:30 – 11:30 AM AEDT (plus 3 more sessions)
Explore personal resilience through Gelli Plate Printing or Abstract Acrylic Painting on Recycled Timber.
No experience needed – all materials provided.
Create, reflect, and connect in a supportive space. Take your artwork home or leave it to be exhibited at Platform 3095 on Sun 30 Nov.
Healing Painting Nature Day With Sioux Dollman
Sun 16 Nov 2025 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
A 7-hour creative workshop combining guided meditations, acrylic painting demonstrations, and one-to-one tuition.
Connect with your inner creativity, explore joyful expression, and enjoy a day of inspiration, skill sharing, and connection in a beautiful natural setting.
Art + Wine: Sip, Savour, & See Art
Amanda Ruck at De Bortoli Wines
This Spring, enjoy Amanda Ruck’s atmospheric acrylic landscapes of clouds and skies at De Bortoli Yarra Valley Cellar Door. Her works invite quiet reflection and inner journeys.
Hours: Daily 10 AM – 5 PM
Jess Jarvie at Yarrawood Estate
Delicate watercolours and graphite drawings capture the fleeting beauty of the natural world. Her richly observed landscapes and botanical studies invite quiet reflection and connection. Explore Jess’s work at Yarrawood Estate.
Hours: Daily 10 AM – 5 PM
Joan Segrave at Steels Gate Wines
Evocative landscapes in acrylic, brought to life with brush and palette knife, invite a slow, soulful walk through the bush. Her work highlights the subtle beauty of the Australian landscape with rhythm, colour, and contrast. See Joan’s collection at Steels Gate.
Hours: Mon & Thu 11 AM – 4 PM | Fri–Sun 11 AM – 5 PM
Around the Valley: What’s On Show
Necessity of Fragility by Dave Thomson
The Memo, Healesville | On display 11 Oct – 14 Dec 2025
Explore grief, trauma, and healing through the artist’s personal experiences, including loss and the impact of local storms.
A reflective, emotional journey and shared space for collective resilience.
Enjoy This Trip: The Art of Music Posters
Yarra Ranges Regional Museum | On display 13 Dec 2025 – 22 Feb 2026
Explore Australian and International music posters from the 1960s–1980s, drawn from the National Gallery’s collection.
Celebrate the spirit of the era through vibrant art, graphic design, music, colour, and typography.
Cipher by Cora Zon
The Memo, Healesville | On display 16 Sep – 09 Nov 2025
An interactive exhibition exploring the connection between sounds and letters.
Solve puzzles, discover patterns in language, and engage with prints from Zon’s literacy zines 44 Sounds Wild and Cipher. Fun and educational for all ages!
From The Heart
Warburton Wheel Gallery | November 2025
Discover an inspiring collection of works created with emotion, connection, and passion.
From The Heart brings together local artists across all different mediums each piece a heartfelt expression of creativity and care.
Best in Show – Emily Viski
The Arts Centre Warburton | On display 2 Dec 2025 – 1 Feb 2026
A joyful celebration of pets, playfulness, and creativity.
Meet the artist in residence (3–5 Dec), commission custom pet portraits, and enjoy fun activities for all ages inspired by Emily’s vibrant paintings.
Healesville Zine and Comic Festival
The Memo, Healesville | Fri 31 Oct – Sat 1 Nov 2025
A free, all-ages celebration of zines, comics, and creative storytelling.
Explore handmade zines, immersive workshops, live readings, and interactive events.
Celebrate the creativity and imagination of local and interstate artists.
Events Coming Up!
The Spoken Word - Stories Brought to Life
Tuesday 2 December 2025 | Theme: “What Are the Chances”
Join us for an evening of creativity, connection, and storytelling as local voices take the stage to share their words and worlds.
Come along, listen, or take part. Tickets coming soon.
BCWC Annual Concert
7pm | Saturday 8 November 2025
Join the Badger Creek Women’s Choir as they celebrate 11 years of singing together! This vibrant group of women perform an eclectic mix of Soul, Celtic, Indie Pop, and classic Aussie Rock — all delivered with soaring three-part harmonies and a few special solo numbers for good measure.
Backed by a stellar five-piece band featuring some of Melbourne’s finest musicians, these talented singers bring spirit, heart, and infectious energy to every song.
Come along for an evening of great music, great vibes, and a delicious supper — all at this free community event!