Art Blast

Local residents will enjoy the fruits of an exciting new arts initiative when a six month collaboration between twelve Central Victorian artists culminates in Bendigo’s CBD this February. Led by acclaimed arts group Punctum, Next on Now has provided local emerging artists a creative development program with support, resources and workshops together with professional mentoring by practicing artists. The results are an extraordinarily diverse collection of professional artistic works which explore themes of love, death, childhood, sex, identity and public / personal space.


Next On Now concludes with a weekend long arts festival, the Next on Now Art Blast from 24th to 26th February. The Art Blast will showcase seven artists with a range of works set in unique locations throughout central Bendigo. The contemporary work embraces a variety of medium including live performance, interactive sculpture, photography and street art.

Contemporary art enhances the vibrancy and richness of Central Victoria’s cultural landscape. Each year over 300 students graduate from arts courses conducted within the City of Greater Bendigo. There are, however, limited opportunities for audiences to discover and interact with new art forms devised by local artists. Next on Now brings local cultural partners, young and emerging artists and new audiences together to generate possibilities for future professionals and bring the city centre alive with art to be discovered.

The Art Blast features seven installations with works by artists Leonie Kelsall, Tom Pender, Kelly Robson, Christine Sayer, Katie Sfetkidis, Isobelle Sirianni, Amy Turton and Rick Whateley. You can meet the artists and learn more about their journey at the Next on Now Art Blast launch on Tuesday 7th February, 5-6:30pm at El Gordo Café, Chancery Lane, Bendigo.

The Art Blast opens on Friday 24th February from 6pm-8pm upstairs at Viewpoint Gallery, 13 View Point, Bendigo and runs through Saturday and Sunday. A weekend pass to the Art Blast costs $10 and provides you with a program containing locations map, cultural notes and admission to all installations and performances. Passes are on sale at the Capital Theatre Box Office at 50 View Street, Bendigo or telephone 03 5434 6100. For more information about Next on Now visit the artists’ blog at www.nextonnow.com. Don’t miss this great opportunity to enjoy contemporary art in the heart of Bendigo.

Enquiries to:
Krista Horbatiuk
Associate Producer, Punctum Inc
Tele: 0401 167 756
Email: krista@punctum.com.au