By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
A vibrant celebration of creativity and community spirit ‘Celebrate Monbulk’ has unfolded in Monbulk – showcasing over 80 paintings created by local artists and members of the Monbulk community.
The much-loved event brought community members of all ages together to express their love for their community through art.
Passionate Monbulk resident Jeanette Pritchard came up with the idea back in June, she envisioned a project that would not only celebrate the artistic talents within the township but also encourage participation from those who may not have previously felt confident in their abilities.
“Art is a universal language that everyone can enjoy,” Ms Pritchard said.
“The invitation encouraged residents to celebrate something they cherished about our community, it could be a pet, the forest, a flower, or even sports—inviting everyone to express their love for the town through art.”
“We have some truly exceptional artists in our community, and we wanted to celebrate their talents while also creating opportunities for those who might love to create art but lacked the confidence and to achieve this, we organised three workshops right here in Monbulk.”
“The workshops focused on painting pets, the forest, or flowers, and many participants had never painted before in their lives.”
“Following the announcement on social media and through word of mouth, over 100 people registered to participate in the event, bringing immense joy not just to the organisers and artists, but to the entire community.”
“It was incredible to witness people, some of whom hadn’t picked up a brush in years, rediscovering their joy for painting,” Ms Pritchard said.
The works of art are currently displayed in local businesses along the main street, where they have garnered positive feedback from both traders and passers-by.
Ms Pritchard said local businesses played a crucial role in this initiative, allowing participants to showcase their art in storefronts – without their cooperation the success wouldn’t have been possible.
“The business owners and shops around here really bridged the gap between trade and community spirit,” she said.
“The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with people stopping to appreciate the creativity on display.”
The project received support from the Monbulk and District Community Opportunities Workshop (MAD COW) and was sponsored by Bendigo Bank.
“This event is about building a cohesive community where everyone feels included and valued,” she said.
“The highlight for me was witnessing the joy on the faces of people who had never painted before, feeling proud of their achievements, there was a vibrant sense of fun and laughter, with everyone building confidence in themselves – it was a celebration of creativity, and connecting with established artists revealed the incredible talent we have in our town.”
“This event not only highlighted their skills but also aimed to raise awareness about the artistic community here, which often goes unnoticed, many people in the Hills work quietly in their studios, and by bringing this to light, we hope to shift the perception that Monbulk isn’t an artistic hub.”
Monbulk’s Senoritas’ Art Workshops artist and local art teacher Nikki Carter helped facilitate the three workshops at her store.
“I was truly amazed to see 54 people attend the workshops, resulting in 104 entries, that’s more than half of the participants who likely wouldn’t have painted otherwise,” she said.
“The highlight for me was hearing someone exclaim, ‘oh my god, I can’t believe I did that!’ followed by them expressing a desire to paint again, many participants have shown an interest in continuing to paint, and it’s such a rewarding experience – painting can be a bit like meditation; you get immersed in colours and creativity instead of worrying about things like your tax return—you really find yourself in the moment.”
Ms Carter has been an artist for the past six years, she too, once believed she couldn’t paint or draw until a weekend painting session with a close friend changed her perspective forever.
“For many of the participants it was like discovering a hidden talent,” she said.
As the exhibition runs until mid-October, plans are already in motion for a celebratory event where participants can showcase their work and share their experiences.
This initiative not only highlights the artistic talent in Monbulk but also aims to inspire ongoing community involvement in future artistic endeavours.
“I’m thrilled to have brought something to the community that has made people smile – there’s so much to celebrate here in Monbulk,” the local artist said.
