
An Italian style garden |
Thursday 15 October
Interpreting 'The Italian Garden'
with Dr Jane Drakard, Senior Lecturer, School of Historical Studies, Monash University
11am–12 noon
M $8 G $10, bookings essential, phone 5975 4395
Venue: Sorrento Cinema, 26–-36 Ocean St, Sorrento
Be inspired by this fascinating discussion on interpreting ‘The Italian Garden’. Italian gardens are instantly recognisable, yet some of the best-known and preserved classical gardens of Northern Italy are the work of non-Italians who have reinterpreted earlier models. This helped to fashion gardens that are today
considered to be quintessentially Italian. Join Jane Drakard as she reveals some of these 20th century exponents of Italian garden style, highlighting various gardens that have been created, before moving on to look at more recent interpretations of the Italian garden, which have particular relevance for dry-climate gardening here in Australia.
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Noel McKenna
Circus Elephant (cup of tea) 1992
oil and enamel on canvas board
The Arts Centre’s Public Art Collection, Melbourne
© Noel McKenna Licensed by VISCOPY Australia 2008
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Thursday 22 October
Fly on the wall
with Jules Boag, Exhibition and Programs Coordinator, Albury Art Gallery
2pm–3pm
M $8 G $10, bookings essential, phone 5975 4395
Venue: MPRG, Civic Reserve, Dunns Rd, Mornington
Jules Boag will tell the story of how the exhibition Step right up: the circus in Australian art was initiated and the part the Flying Fruit Fly circus played in all of this. Jules’s talk will also include a considered analysis of the contemporary and historical works of art by major Australian artists that are in the exhibition.
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Jeffrey Smart
Circus Performers 1980
planographic print
The Arts Centre’s Public Art Collection,
Melbourne
Ainslie Murray
An Architecture of Thread and Gesture (detail) 2008
tyvek, carbon fibre, acrylic, monofilament, aluminium
Courtesy of Ian Hobbs

Matteo the storyteller
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Sunday 25 October
Get Into Art Day
Creative activities for everyone
Free entry to the Gallery on the day
Venue:MPRG
Special events include:
Film screenings of the captivating film Alegria
which includes recorded performances and all
the antics behind-the-scenes of the Cirque du Soleil,
at 10.30am & 2.30pm
Hip Cat roving circus workshops for children
from 1pm to 3pm
‘Run Away and Join the Circus’ activity
worksheet which children can complete throughout
the day and enter to try and win a Hip Cat Juggling
Club session
Guided tours of the current exhibitions at 3pm.
Thursday 29 October
Weave with Mandy Gunn
with Mandy Gunn, textile artist
11am–12 noon
M $8 G $10, bookings essential, phone 5975 4395
Venue: MPRG, Civic Reserve, Dunns Rd, Mornington
Mandy Gunn is well known for her use of recycled materials, fashioned, often using textile techniques, into assemblages, sculptures and installations. She has been awarded prizes, project grants, and residencies from major funding bodies in Australia and is a highly experienced teacher, having taught at RMIT since 1995. Learn how she became interested in weaving and how her art form has evolved over time.
Tuesday 10 November
Young at art - Step right up
A program for 0–5 year olds, with Matteo the storyteller
10am–11am, Children $4 (includes morning tea) Adults free
Bookings essential, phone 5975 4395
Venue: MPRG, Civic Reserve, Dunns Rd, Mornington
Matteo the storyteller will be back for more storytelling, music and art. His Young at art sessions have been incredibly popular and sessions book out very quickly, so be sure to make a booking early. Afterwards, enjoy morning tea with others and take a leisurely stroll through the Gallery.
Thursday 12 November
Circus Couturier
with Laurel Frank, Circus Oz costume designer
11am–12 noon
M $8 G $10, bookings essential, phone 5975 4395
Venue: MPRG, Civic Reserve, Dunns Rd, Mornington
Join internationally renowned costume designer, Laurel Frank whose fascinating illustrated talk will provide an unparalleled opportunity to gain an in depth understanding of what goes into costume design for both the circus and theatre. With more than thirty years working in the circus, Laurel’s talent for developing and creating costumes that meet all the rigorous and spectacular requirements of performance is evident in her fifty-three costume items held in the Circus Oz Collection at the Performing Arts Centre in Melbourne. Amongst this collection are her acro pants, ‘Daring Robert’s’ cape and bloomers and a series of items for the ‘Gladiator’ character of the early 1990s.
Tuesday 8 December
Young at art - Let's have fun
A program for 0–5 year olds, with Matteo the storyteller
10am–11am, Children $4 (includes morning tea) Adults free
Bookings essential, phone 5975 4395
Venue: MPRG, Civic Reserve, Dunns Rd, Mornington
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Jennifer Dudley with Dr Pantjiti Mary
McLean in Kalgoorlie
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Monday 26 October
Coffee Morning
Contemporary aboriginal art – a living culture
with Jennifer Dudley, Director, Outback Aboriginal Art
10.30am for talk 11am–12 noon
M $5 G $7 (includes door prize) Venue: MPRG
No bookings required
Jennifer Dudley’s interest in Aboriginal culture and contemporary art began over twenty years ago. She now travels regularly to the outback to locate artworks to exhibit
to a local and international clientele at her Melbourne home gallery. Jennifer will share stories about the beginnings of her business in the early 1990s and reveal her knowledge
of the contemporary Australian indigenous art market. She will also speak about her adventures travelling to the outback, focusing on the Central and Western Desert
areas of Australia, and highlight her friendships with the different artists she visits.
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