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

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.

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We Are Made of Stars

Amanda Ruck, featuring collaborative works with poet Beata Frey Taylor & visual artist/designer Simon Bowland
26th October - 14th November
Opening event: Saturday, 26th October 2pm

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.

Charcoal

Yarrabah Arts Centre
16th November - 5th December
Opening Event: Saturday 16th November 1:30pm

Did you know that Hobsons Bay has a sister shire? Since 2003 the Aboriginal Shire of Yarrabah and Hobsons Bay City Council have been connected through the Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council Friendship Alliance. Yarrabah is the traditional country of the Gunddandji and Yidinji people, located in north Queensland, approximately 50km by road from Cairns.
The Yarrabah Arts Centre serves as a creative haven for local artists, providing them with the necessary facilities to express their cultural identity through various artistic mediums such as ceramics, painting, and weaving. Charcoal is the first exhibition from Yarrabah Arts Centre to be shown in Hobsons Bay, and this is the first time this exhibition will travel to be shown interstate.

Image courtesy of Yarrabah Arts Centre

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'.

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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

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.

EXHIBITION ARCHIVE

Details coming soon

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Donate Today

We are proud to have supported 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.

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Louis Joel Gallery

Exhibitions & Events

Secundum Artem

We Are Made of Stars

Charcoal

In Conversation With

Exhibit with Us

Louis Joel Gallery

Emerging Artist Wall

Gallery Shop

Calling All Designers, Artists & Makers

Shop Local

Past Exhibitions

Annual Showcase

Light Touch

Art on the Edge

EXHIBITION ARCHIVE

Donate Today

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