Eltham Library Community Gallery

Photo of the interior of the Eltham Library Community Gallery. The walls are brown brick and there are several small sculptures on plinths

Opened in 1994, the Eltham Library Community Gallery is a much-loved community gallery space that sits within the Eltham Library complex on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country. It was designed by multi award-winning Melbourne architect, Gregory Burgess.

The Eltham Library Community Gallery is an important platform for emerging artists that provides entry into professional practice.

The gallery space offers a diverse exhibition program that showcases both traditional forms of art-making and new methods of art production, along with themes and ideas that are relevant to our times.

Location

Eltham Library
Panther Place, Eltham

Opening hours

Monday to Thursday 9am-9pm
Friday 9am-6pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am-5pm
Closed public holidays

Current exhibition 

 
Roslyn Quin

From Strange Pages | Roslyn Quin

Friday 27 January – Sunday 5 March 2023

Inspired by old folklore and archaic amusements, Roslyn Quin’s exhibition explores the deeply human hunger for sharing the delightful and uncanny. Quin uses discarded materials, found items, and a plethora of collage and mixed media techniques to slowly build a reflection of the world as she sees it. 

https://www.roslynquin.com/

Image: Roslyn Quin, Civilisation fish, 2022, fabric and paper collage, 12.5 x 8cm, Courtesy of the artist

 View upcoming and past exhibitions

Upcoming exhibitions

Xi Guo_Drying Chrysnthemums_2013_acrylic on canvas_76 x 101cm.jpg

Nostalgic | Xi Guo

Friday 10 March to Sunday 16 April 2023

Slow down, cherish the past and take a break from fast paced modern life in Xi Guo’s exhibition of painting and mixed media works. Xi Guo cherishes the times when computers and smart phones only appeared in science fiction films. Guo hopes her artworks spark beautiful conversations between older and younger generations.

Image: Xi Guo, Drying Chrysanthemums, 2013, acrylic on canvas, 76 x 101cm, Courtesy of the artist

Randal Pound, Self Portrait, 2016, Ink and gouache on paper, 400 x 295 mm

Body of Landscape | Randal Pound

Friday 21 April to Sunday 28 May 2023

Randal Pound is inspired by people and the patterns created by their actions, interactions, situations and the things they leave behind. In this exhibition, Pound uses intuitive and abstract marks within his work and explores concepts of the human figure in or as landscape. Much of the imagery within his body of work is inspired by the Plenty River Gorge in Nillumbik. 

Image: Randal Pound, Self Portrait, 2016, Ink and gouache on paper, 40 x 30cm, Courtesy of the artist

Nina Kelabora, Flight 1, 2022, Watercolour, thread, paint pen and acrylic paint on paper, 51 x 34cm

Flight | Nina Kelabora

Friday 2 June to Sunday 9 July 2023

Flight is the first exhibition of Eltham artist, Nina Kelabora. Mythical, solitary almost-creatures, celestial forms and oceanic-air landscapes are haunted by echoes of her grandmother’s song and father’s homeland in Indonesia. A difficult and tumultuous energy is in her works, as well as moments of peace linked to tidal rhythms. Her artworks explore ideas related to trauma and parenting and emerged as a healing process. 

Image: Nina Kelabora, Flight 1, 2022, Watercolour, paint pen and acrylic paint on paper, 51 x 34cm, Courtesy of the artist

Junko Azukawa, Nobody owns, 2021, Sumi ink on paper, 60cm x 85cm

The way of Japanese ink | Junko Azukawa

Friday 14 July to Sunday 20 August 2023

Junko Azukawa’s exhibition showcases Japanese ink paintings, Sumi-e and a cinematic short film exploring her artistic process. Sumi-e is a philosophy, it’s a way of living and an art form. Sumi soot ink painting began in China around the 8th century and then evolved in Japan as a Zen discipline. Sumi-e is practiced by monks and Samurai as well as artists. For Azukawa,  ink painting has become a powerful way to express the moment and explore ideas of inner self-growth.

Image: Junko Azukawa, Nobody Owns, 2021, Sumi ink on paper, 60 x 85cm, Courtesy of the artist

Brian Stevens, Orbs - messages in the sky, 2018, Acrylic paint on canvas, Courtesy of the artist

Talking and listening to country
Brian Stevens, Julie Tipene-O’Toole and Tiaki Mitchell

Friday 25 August to Sunday 1 October 2023

This exhibition is an invitation and reminder to all, to come sit and listen deeply to what the country has to tell us.

When we practice this, we begin to hear more clearly. Then and only then, will the country reveal its memories and messages that can help us heal the land and our people. The answers have always been there, we just need to ask and listen.

The works in this show are a response from artists Brian Stevens, Julie Tipene-O’Toole and Tiaki Mitchell to the practice of talking and listening to country.

Image: Brian Stevens, Orbs – messages in the sky, 2018, Acrylic on canvas, Courtesy of the artist

Jessica Roff, Stand Your Ground, 2022, Watercolour on canvas, Courtesy of the artist and Catholic Ladies College.jpg

Creative Minds

Friday 6 October to Sunday 29 October 2023

‘Creative Minds’ showcases artworks created by Nillumbik’s VCE Art and Studio Arts students of 2022. An annual exhibition presented at the Eltham Library Community Gallery celebrating artwork by our youth.

Participating High Schools include: Catholic Ladies' College, Eltham College, Eltham High School and Plenty Valley Christian College.

Image: Jessica Roff, Stand Your Ground, 2022, Watercolour on canvas, Courtesy of the artist and Catholic Ladies' College 

Emily Viski, Emily in Paris, 2022, acrylic on canvas framed, 60 x 60cm

Dogs are like sunshine | Emily Viski

Friday 3 November to Sunday 10 December 2023

‘Dogs are like sunshine’ is a playful exhibition by emerging artist, Emily Viski, her paintings explore colour, form and mark making. Viski’s joyful works aim to spread happiness and brighten people’s days. 

Image: Emily Viski, Emily in Paris, 2022, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 60cm

Lucian Armstrong_Shades of Blue_2022_Watercolour on paper.jpg

diversARTy 2023 | Living & Learning Nillumbik

Thursday 14 December 2023 to Sunday 21 January 2024

Each year Living & Learning Nillumbik hold an exhibition at the Eltham Library Community Gallery. Showcasing the work of current participants and tutors in visual arts, ceramics, textile, glass, crafts and more.

This exhibition shares and celebrates the diversity of activities, abilities and people who come together to share, learn and connect at our Living & Learning Nillumbik centres in Diamond Creek, Eltham and Panton Hill.

Image: Lucian Armstrong, Shades of Blue, 2022, Watercolour on paper, Art for Kids Program, Living & Learning Nillumbik, Eltham

Past exhibitions

Visual description: Two ceramic creatures that appear to be white unicorns. The creature in the background is blurred in the photo, both creatures are seated and resting.
 

diversARTy | Living & Learning Nillumbik

Friday 9 December 2022 – Sunday 22 January 2023

In December each year Living & Learning Nillumbik hold an exhibition at the Eltham Library Community Gallery which showcases the work of current participants and tutors including visual arts, ceramics, textile, glass, crafts and more. It celebrates the diversity of activities, abilities and people who come together to share, learn and connect at our centres.

www.livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au

Image: Julie Barrington, Magical Creatures, 2021, Stoneware, shino glaze, dimensions variable

Image description: An abstract painting divided into six equal sections. The artist uses line and block shapes and pinks, yellows, blue, red, white and brown.

Araluen Centre | Art and Agency

Friday 28 October - Sunday 4 December 2022

Art and Agency is an exhibition that celebrates the art created by artists with a disability. Araluen is an organisation supporting adults with disabilities. It’s supported studios Art Connects, provides the artists the space and the assistance they need to create wonderful works of art. This exhibition will give a number of these artists an opportunity to plan and develop their own exhibition. It will give them choice and control and highlight a community of artists that have historically been overlooked.

www.araluen.org

Image: Melissa Kent, Spaces inbetween, 2020, mixed media, 84 x 89cm

 

Visual description: Six woven necklaces overlapping each other on a white background. The necklaces have blocks of brown, gold, white and black colours.

Catrine Berlatier & Chantal Stewart | Of Two Minds

Friday 16 September – Sunday 23 October 2022

Of Two Minds is an exhibition of works by two friends of 40 years. Both originally from France, Berlatier and Stewart share similar artistic sensibilities. There is a common thread of lightness, purity of lines and elegance present in both their practices, be it Chantal’s graceful drawings and refined ceramics, or Catrine’s delicate jewellery and diaphanous textiles.

Image: Catrine Berlatier, Woven Necklaces, 2018-2021, Canson paper, dimensions variable

Visual description: A painting depicting a women’s face, her skin is coloured multiple colours. Two yellow flowers are depicted below her face. The word loss is depicted in red near the flowers.

Creative Minds: Nillumbik VCE Arts, Studio Arts & Fashion students of 2021

Friday 5 August – Sunday 11 September 2022

A showcase of artworks created by Nillumbik’s VCE Art, Studio Arts & Fashion students. An annual exhibition presented at the Eltham Library Community Gallery. Showcasing works from the following schools: Catholic Ladies College, Eltham College, Eltham High School & Plenty Valley Christian College.

Image: Bianca Walker, Loss, 2021, Mixed media on paper, 42 x 59cm,Courtesy of the artist and Catholic Ladies College

Visual description: A monochromatic painting depicting the back of a man with a dog on a lead. The background is the woodgrain from the plywood.

Chloe Vallance | Sit. Walk. Wonder

Saturday 25 June – Sunday 31 July 2022

Sit. Walk. Wonder explores studio-based drawings by local artist Chloe Vallance.  Chloe’s works are developed by observing everyday activities of people and animals.  Chloe is interested in moments of contemplation. Often the figures in her works are seen to be looking into the middle distance, pausing or walking, each on their own journey.

Image: Chloe Vallance, Music, 2021, colour pencil on plywood, 29.5 x 35cm

Visual description: A glass word with a girl depicted and a rabbit. With a teapot and cup between them and a key hanging above in a tree branch

The Artistry of Books | Thou Art Mum

Friday 20 May – Sunday 19 June 2022

Books are portable magic. They can take us to faraway lands filled with emotive adventures, mysteries to solve and dragons to chase. Words and diagrams teach us about nature, our world and our past. Beautiful images of art, architecture and animals grace the pages and our imaginations.

See how books have inspired our group of TAM artists, from how they are physically constructed, to stories we’ve experienced and knowledge we’ve gleaned. We welcome you to our exhibition, The Artistry of Books, and join us on a journey without leaving the room.

Image: Deborah Bowen, Alice’s Adventures, 2020, kiln formed glass

Open Studios 2022

Nillumbik Open Studio Artists

Friday 8 April to Sunday 15 May, 2022
Visual description: A ceramic plate with five red flowers with blue stems, and light green leaves. With a cream background with small blue dots.

The Nillumbik Artists Open Studio program involves over 28 studios working across various art forms, including painting, ceramics, metal work, sculpture, printmaking and glass work. Each of the artists involved in the program will have work in the exhibition.

www.artistsopenstudios.com/

Image: M L Pittard, Red Flower, 2021

Naughty See Monkey & Louise Jade | Dancing on Sunshine

Friday 4 March  Sunday 3 April 2022

Visual description: A painting depicts blue, green, yellow, orange and red organic shapes on a grey background. A blue pool shape appears in the middle ground, with a black colour in the foreground.
 
No matter what the day brings, I get unequivocal joy being in the studio improvising and being immersed in my creative process.

 - Naughty

Being in thrall of my creative process: the contemplation, the execution and process, is at once thrilling and gentling for my being.  Making Art is inevitable.
- Louise

Image: Naughty See Monkey, 98 pool of reflections, 2007, Oil and collage on paper, 60 x 42cm 

Deb Garrett & Kate Belvedere | Solitude 

Friday 21 January  Sunday 27 February 2022

Solitude

 

Inspired by the landscape, Deb Garrett and Kate Belvedere’s practice explore feelings of solitude, isolation, quietness and emptiness through a variety of mediums - photography, drawing, print making and ceramics. Ironically, their shared interest in solitude has brought them together. Deb Garrett’s work centres around finding stillness and quiet in order to connect to a space. Also having lived in the area for many years, Deb’s interested in capturing the landscape during these quiet moments, particularly during dawn when there is a sense of calm and stillness that can sometimes also be unnervingly eerie. Kate Belvedere’s work centres around themes of decay and the indifference of nature as well as exploring the duality of the life giving and life taking aspects of the natural world. Her work particularly references native Australian bowerbirds, and their enchantment with decorating their nests with bright blue objects.

Image credits:
Left: Kate Belvedere, Into the Abyss, 2019, oil on board, 21 x 29 cm
Right: Deb Garrett, The pond in Summer 1, 2021, Giclee print photograph on cotton rag, 29 x 42 cm

 

To see what else is happening in the arts across Nillumbik visit our What's on page.

Photo of ceramics on plinth and print in front of fireplace installed in the Eltham Library Community Gallery

Image credit:
Install photo of 'Solitude' by Deb Garrett and Kate Belvedere, ELCG, 2022. Photography: Jamie Robertson

Exhibition applications for Eltham Library Community Gallery 2024

Submissions open: Saturday 1 April 2023
Submissions close: 1pm Friday 26 May 2023
Apply via SmartyGrants (link available on Saturday 1 April).
Read the 2024 exhibition terms & conditions(PDF, 271KB).

Artists and curators are invited to submit ideas for solo, two-person and curated exhibitions for the 2024 exhibition program.

It’s free to exhibit at the Eltham Library Community Gallery. Exhibitors receive basic marketing support, curatorial support, a $550 exhibition fee and $100 catering fee for their opening event.

First Peoples, artists living with a disability, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, LGBTQIA+ community and emerging contemporary artists and curators are encouraged to apply. Please contact us about your access requirements by emailing artsinfo@nillumbik.vic.gov.au or call 9433 3359.

The exhibition application process is highly competitive, we strongly encourage creatives to visit the Eltham Library Community Gallery before applying, and read the 2024 ELCG Terms and Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions below.

Information sessions - applying for an Eltham Library Community Gallery exhibition 

This is an opportunity to learn about what’s involved in the application form, what the gallery offers artists and what the exhibitor’s responsibilities are when having an exhibition.

Free information sessions for creatives will take place on the following dates.

Wednesday 5 April
6pm – 7:30pm
Hybrid session
Council Chambers, 32 Civic Drive, Greensborough and Microsoft Teams
Bookings required.

Tuesday 2 May
6pm – 7:30pm
In-person session only at the Eltham Library Multi-Purpose Room, Panther Place, Eltham (opposite the Eltham Library Community Gallery)
Bookings required.

Frequently asked questions

  • Can I apply for an exhibition if I’ve exhibited recently at the Eltham Library Community Gallery?
    Yes, you can apply. Artists/curators who are new to the program will receive extra scores when applications are assessed.
  • Is this opportunity only open to local artists?
    All artists/curators can apply. Artists who live, work, study, play or have a relationship to Nillumbik will receive extra scores when applications are assessed.

  • Can I apply for this opportunity if I’ve never exhibited before?
    Yes, we encourage emerging artists and curators to apply for this opportunity.

  • When will applicant be notified about the outcome of the application?

    Applicants will be notified by Wednesday 30 August 2023.

  • Can I get feedback about my application if I’m unsuccessful?
    Yes, we encourage applicants to contact the Exhibitions Support Officer for feedback about their application.

For further information contact:
Exhibitions Support Officer
artsinfo@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
03 9433 3359

More information 

To keep in the loop about opportunities subscribe to the Nillumbik Arts e-newsletter and follow Nillumbik Arts via Instagram and Facebook

For more information about Eltham Library Community Gallery, contact:

Exhibitions Support Officer 
Email: artsinfo@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
Phone: 03 9433 3111