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Heathcote’s artist community have received a boost from Fosterville’s Community Grant Program to go towards the Rood Henry’s Art Space (RHAS), which aims to showcase exhibitions created by emerging artists in partnership with established local artists.

The art space is a passion project of Palling Bros. Brewery owners, Colleen and Peter Pichut, who have generously provided the space. RHAS is curated by Christina Zhou, alumni of the RMIT Fine Art class of 2020. Christina’s vision for the space is to present four seasonal exhibitions that mesh emerging and established creatives.

“The space will also be used for artist-in-residence programs, as well as ongoing training of artists and creatives, with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion,” explained Peter Pichut, RHAS patron.

At least one season per year will exclusively present artistic work from artists with a disability and one season will be dedicated to work that does not originate from a Western perspective.

“Fosterville Gold Mine’s contribution towards the space over the next year, will ensure that RHAS is able to fully support the artists to create wonderfully engaging exhibitions for the Heathcote community and visitors to the town,” Peter continued.

RHAS’s inaugural exhibition, “Immersion” included the following installations:

• Precious Treasures by established artist, Susie Marcroft and emerging artist, Treasure Aratema, which aims to highlight the interconnections between all conscious beings and the environments within which they live and thrive.
• Floral Immersion by Jessie Bleakley, which is a response to the imagined experience of being immersed within a flower.
• The Transient Being of Raptura by Mackenzie Fisicaro.

The next art exhibition is scheduled to open in Early March, so please keep an eye out for it and support local artists.