We’ve been delighted to contribute to expanding the artists involved in the Alphington Open Studios weekends this year with our salon exhibition featuring works by all the open studios artists along with a wonderful mix of works by other local artists both established and emerging.

At ACC (with help from Yarra Arts) we’ve been exploring ways to engage with local artists and activate our hanging space and this exhibition has enabled us to demonstrate the potential of our building and has also opened up conversations about exhibiting in our space.

As a result, in 2022 we’ll be looking to hold more regular community art exhibitions that enable a unique mix of artists to exhibit together.

It is just wonderful to be able to celebrate the creativity in our community.

We had a steady stream of visitors over the two weekends. If you enjoyed this exhibition, or are an artist who would like to join in next time, keep an eye out for future dates and details in our program (out before Christmas).

News with a hint of monopoly today … Our beloved hard rubbish treasure chest has had many purposes at ACC, including being used by our playgroups to store special books and activities … and by our crafters to store and sell craft … Now it is in our foyer, full of things to give away.

We often get donations of little things that are not quite op shop fit but could be loved if given the chance.

So next time you are here (particularly with kids) you might like to take a peek inside to see if the random items in our community chest tickle your fancy. You’ll find it in the foyer.

Pergola progress this week.

Well it’s nearly December and the season is suddenly upon us. So … do you fancy a round of Jingle Bells or have a hankering to belt out Good King Wenceslas alongside your fellow neighbours?

Join us for Community Carols on Sunday 19th December at 7pm at the Alphington Bowls Club.

The Alphingtones Choir might be a little rusty after two years of mostly Covid zooming … and will probably be part of the audience rather than up the front this year. But it will still be very nice to get together for a sing-a-long … and I am 100% sure Santa will pop past!

A date for your diary. Bring the whole family along to this long-standing and low-key cross-generational community activity. Always on the last Sunday before Christmas 🎄.

Well that was fun! And exhausting!

Thanks to everyone that came along to the Alphington Open Studios opening on Friday night, our Christmas Makers Market on Saturday, and/or popped in to the Open Studios salon show at ACC right across the weekend. We had great weather and it was just fabulous to see such a cross-section of our community enjoying our facilities.

I will quickly add some pictures below … and include some more next week, with some detailed thankyous etc. then.

But don’t forget the studios are all open this coming weekend as well! Saturday and Sunday 11am-6pm. You can collect a map from ACC this week (or when our salon show opens again on Saturday morning). Isn’t it just great to collectively celebrate our lovely, creative, arty community … it warms the cockles of the heart!