In the northern suburbs of Melbourne sits a beautiful 19th century building called the Bundoora Homestead Art Centre. It’s the kind of place that reminds us that art isn’t only found in traditional paintings and sculptures but exists in the architecture of buildings, in street art, and even in gardens. Inside, it is also the kind of cultural hub that reminds us that it is art’s job to create connection in a community.
Centre curator Sarah Werkmeister tells upstart that the most important component of connecting communities through art is “making art accessible”. This is why the centre offers free exhibitions.
“Art is an important way for people to connect in unexpected ways,” she says. “And often creates understanding of things that people might not otherwise be exposed to.”
The centre’s biennial exhibition and art prize, called the A1 Darebin Art Salon (A1), which closed this month, reflects these values. It is an exhibition that anyone who lives, works, studies or bases their creative practice in the City of Darebin can submit their work to.
“The A1 Salon was started by Darebin Council in an attempt to provide an opportunity to showcase the creative talent of local residents,” Werkmeister says.
“And to give emerging artists in the community an opportunity to have their work exhibited in a professional context.”
Werkmeister describes the A1, which began in 2016, in three words: “dynamic, diverse, accessible”. Its primary aims are to engage critically with contemporary ideas and issues, to demonstrate an ongoing engagement with chosen materials or methods, to be relevant to the Darebin community, and to connect with the public in meaningful ways.
To submit to the exhibition, artists must be able to create a larger body of work within a timeframe and budget, contribute to conversations in contemporary art practices, appeal to multiple audiences, and show originality and innovation.
This year, local painter Heidi Schoenheimer took the prize with her piece ‘Tammy’s’, a painting of a Turkish bakery in Preston.
“I was very surprised but delighted to have received the prize,” she tells upstart.
The winner of the prize is given a solo art show at the centre.
“It means I have to knuckle down and do some paintings, but I am definitely excited for my first ever solo exhibition, it’s a great opportunity and I’m looking forward to it.”
Schoenheimer created the piece the way she does many of her paintings, taking photos of things that bring her joy and using them as painting references.
“I guess it was like a love letter to Tammy’s the store and the Preston market,” she says.
As an artist, Schoenheimer enjoys creating art for all purposes, whether it is for herself, a client or a gift. This year is her second entry to the A1. In 2023 she entered “Preston Market Mornings”, stemming from a similar concept to ’Tammy’s’.
“I loved both the setting at Bundoora Homestead and being part of the celebration of artists in my local community,” she says.
She also loves the inclusivity and community created by A1.
“It’s a great opportunity for local artists to be part of their community and see their work in a beautiful space,” she says.
“It’s free to enter which is rare as most of the time there is a fee to enter prizes regardless of whether you are selected to exhibit, which can be a disheartening process.”
Events like the opening provide a chance to chat “with friendly strangers and familiar faces alike”, she says.
“It’s interesting to see what other artists in the community are coming up with and having an event which artists can bring friends and family and be proud of what they’ve created feels really important.”
Article: Ella Burns is a second-year Bachelor of Media and Communications (Journalism & Marketing) student at La Trobe University. You can follow her on X at @_EllaBurns
Cover photo: Supplied by author.
