Louis Joel Gallery

Louis Joel Gallery champions local art and local artists, developing a diverse program of visual arts exhibitions that reflect the creativity and originality of our community. Through projects and programming Louis Joel Gallery supports artists at all stages of their career to produce and show work in an inclusive and supportive environment.

Louis Joel Gallery is housed within the Louis Joel Arts & Community Centre, a vibrant community owned and operated not for profit organisation located on the site of the old Altona Hospital. As such, we look for arts programming that supports local community engagement and assists community development.

Exhibitions & Events

Q Art Project

Wyndham Youth Services Q Program
Thursday 16th January - Wednesday 29th January 2025

The Q Art Project is an LGBTQIA+ self-expression initiative designed to showcase the artistic talents and voices of rainbow-identifying youth aged 12-25 who have a connection to Wyndham or Hobsons Bay. This youth-led project is driven by the Wyndham Youth Services Q Program, and supported by Hobsons Bay Youth Services, with young people and community members actively involved in producing the work Q Art Project Aims to empower and normalise the voices of queer youth, by amplifying voices and fostering acceptance and visibility of gender and sexually diverse young people in Wyndham and Hobsons Bay.

Image (cropped) courtesy of Wyndham City Council

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Nonlimerent // Monosexual: An Aromantic and Asexual History

Curated by Luciella Scarlett in collaboration with Emily Busch & Kate Wood
Opening Event: Saturday 1st Feb 1pm
1st February - 20th February 2025

In February 2025, the Louis Joel Gallery will celebrate 10 years since the Victorian Aces (now Aces+ Melbourne) first marched in the annual Midsumma pride parade with a history and art exhibition focused on the A in LGBTQIA+. “Nonlimerent”, coined by Dorothy Tennov in 1979, and “monosexual”, by Karl Maria Kertbeny in 1868, are terms that have historically held similar meanings to “aromantic” and “asexual”. Although terminology and social contexts have changed over time, asexual and aromantic people have always existed. This exhibition will explore the forces, individuals and events that have shaped a-spec identity over time.

Image (cropped) courtesy of Luciella Scarlett.

Altona: Shadow & Light

Ronaldo San Andres
Opening Event: Saturday 22nd Feb 12pm
22nd February - 12th March 2025

‘Altona: Shadow and Light’ is a series of paintings capturing the beauty, mood and drama of a particular scene in Altona through shadows and lights. In Ronaldo San Andres' experience, shadows and lights are more powerful getting attention than the intricate detail of a scene. Ronaldo usually paints the scenes around his neighborhood and finds it fascinating when light hits one side of a building or a tree then the lit and shadow side creates beautiful colours and values.
Ronaldo's love for art started in primary school through his passion for history. It was exciting looking at paintings of different eras. By college, he was inspired by 17th century Dutch renaissance art and 19th century impressionism. Ronaldo believes his style was influenced by the Masters of that era. Started with oil in the early 90s then in 2016, Ronaldo was painting consistently with acrylics which has a lot of advantages, including safety around children and pets.
Image (cropped) courtesy of Ronaldo San Andres.

In Conversation With

Our latest artist talk with Varga Hosseini now available online!

We enjoy hosting our exhibiting artists for talks, performances, workshops, or demonstrations. Watch our latest interviews with exhibiting artists such as Dovey Dee, Stu Thomas & Ceardai Demelza, on our Youtube Channel at the link below.

Image from 'In Conversation with': Varga Hosseini during his collaborative exhibition with Fari Hosseini 'Light Touch'.

Watch Here

Exhibit with Us

Louis Joel Gallery

The Louis Joel Gallery is a unique exhibition space in the heart of Altona. Situated within the Louis Joel Arts & Community Centre, a community-owned not-for-profit venture in the site of the old Altona Hospital, Louis Joel Gallery has a mandate to support local artists and represent the interests and concerns of our community. While preference may be given to residents of Melbourne's western suburbs, the gallery also hosts a number of interstate artists and travelling exhibitions each year. Louis Joel Gallery welcomes established and emerging artists of mediums and forms. Arts programming at Louis Joel Arts & Community Centre is dedicated to inclusion and aims to continually produce artistic programming that meaningfully supports artists from underrepresented communities. As a part of this commitment we offer a sliding scale rate of payment for First Nations artists and community-based exhibitions.

Prospective exhibitors should refer to the Gallery Terms & Conditions and send a completed Expression of Interest form to gallery@ljac.com.au.

Image of: Group Exhibition 'In Conversation' from 2023, curated by Tara Glastonbury

Expression of Interest

Emerging Artist Wall

The Emerging Artist Wall is a space that showcases the talent of student and emerging artists from within our local community. In this free offering, artists are invited to present a small vignette of completed works, gaining exhibition skills while introducing their works to our creative community. Each emerging artist is invited to exhibit for a month and provided with opportunities to participate in installs in the Louis Joel Gallery, attend launches and events, and receive mentoring and advice to the benefit of their artistic practice and career. Emerging artists also have te option of listing their works for sale through our gallery shop over the course of their residence.

To register your interest to become a Louis Joel Emerging Artist email gallery@ljac.com.au.

Image of: Zoran Babic's Emerging Artist Wall Exhibition

Gallery Shop

Calling All Designers, Artists & Makers

We are seeking applications for a range of original, handmade, local and innovative small artworks & products to feature in our Gallery Shop. All mediums welcome. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations, LGBTQIA+ and emerging artists and creatives.

Image Credit: Tyran Kouka of Lilt Jewellery

Expression of Interest

Shop Local

Looking for a gift for someone special? Browse our wide range of jewellery, books, ceramics & small sculptures at our Gallery Shop. Buying from our shop will directly make an impact on our community of local extraordinary makers, designers and artists as well as our not-for-profit centre. We are committed to being a platform or launchpad for local makers to make their work known in the local Altona community.

Image featuring resin vases by artist Uniqmoho

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Past Exhibitions

Learning Curve

Hobsons Bay Art Society
Group Exhibition
Opening event: Friday 6th Dec 7pm
7th December - 20th December

A celebration of artistic development enjoyed by artists attending HBAS art classes and groups throughout 2024.

Image courtesy of Hobsons Bay Art Society

We Are Made of Stars

Amanda Ruck, featuring collaborative works with poet Beata Frey Taylor & visual artist/designer Simon Bowland
26th October - 5th December

Amanda Ruck has spent many years looking up at the sky, tilting her head, squinting into the sun, working out how light and colours define clouds.
Amanda uses cloudy weather patterns as a vehicle for emotion. Her dark broody landscapes provide a ballast for a window of light, allowing the viewer to contemplate where the path leads, or what is over the horizon.

Image courtesy of Amanda Ruck.

Secundum Artem

Vincenza Fazzalori & Lee Agius
4th October - 24th October
Opening event: Saturday, 5th October 2024

A collaborative exhibition between Artful Warrior/Lee Agius, Visual Arts Together/ Vincenza Fazzalori, and 18 artists from across Melbourne's West. Collectively, the work reframes the notion of Identity through the lens of ableism, place & space.

Image courtesy of artists.

Annual Showcase

Hobsons Bay Art Society
13th September - 3rd October

The artists of Hobsons Bay Arts Society are proud to present their latest works in their collaborative “Annual Showcase” exhibition. With a diverse mix of styles and mediums, there will be something for everyone in this wonderful collection of creativity.

Image from current exhibition: 'Annual Showcase' by Hobsons Bay Art Society

Light Touch

Fari and Varga Hosseini
Opening Saturday 24th August 1pm
Artist Talk Thursday 5th September 2pm
24th August - 12th September 2024
Inspired by twentieth-century art, literature, and cinema, the collaborative paintings in this exhibition trace the effect of light on coloured, patterned, tactile, and reflective surfaces. Be informed of opening event details by signing up to our newsletter.

Art on the Edge

Donna Summers
3rd August - 22nd August 2024
Artist for over 45 years, local and former Pier St business owner of Smart Artz has an extensive background exploring many artforms and mediums; from life drawing, photography, graphic design, screen printing, oil painting and now fluid art, producing stunning results with colours and movement.

Donate Today

We are proud to have been supporting the community of Hobsons Bay for almost 20 years by delivering affordable arts, culture & leisure programs. You can make a direct impact to your community by donating to Louis Joel Arts & Community.

Donate Today

Louis Joel Gallery

Exhibitions & Events

Q Art Project

Nonlimerent // Monosexual: An Aromantic and Asexual History

Altona: Shadow & Light

In Conversation With

Exhibit with Us

Louis Joel Gallery

Emerging Artist Wall

Gallery Shop

Calling All Designers, Artists & Makers

Shop Local

Past Exhibitions

Learning Curve

We Are Made of Stars

Secundum Artem

Annual Showcase

Light Touch

Art on the Edge

Donate Today

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