03 9398 2511
5 SARGOOD STREET ALTONA
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What's On

A complete overview of our current and upcoming exhibitions, one-off events, ongoing programs, workshops/classes, and newly introduced programs—all tailored to our vibrant community. Whether you're looking to explore your creative side, join a new class, or stay updated on special events, there's something for everyone at Louis Joel Arts & Community.

Plus, don't miss a personal note from our Centre Manager, highlighting the season's must-see events and programs. Download the full seasonal program below and start planning your next visit!

Download Our Seasonal Program PDF Here

Visual Arts

Vibrant Watercolor: Mastering Drawing & Watercolor Techniques

Weekly, Tuesdays 7pm
10 week program from 17th Sept

Combining the traditional art of drawing with the color intensity of watercolor, students will create stunning and captivating artworks delving into the world of fantastic creatures, learning how to bring them to life on paper while exploring various techniques for drawing and using watercolor.
Book Here

Art Playgroup Altona

Last Friday of the month (except for school holidays),
10am - 11am

A supportive and calm environment, helping you enjoy being creative with your kids - knowing you don't have to clean up afterwards.
Activities can include chalk drawing on the ground, window scribbles, painting, practicing using scissors to cut up leaves and flowers, stamping on plain butchers paper, walking around or finding a quiet place to sit with a colouring sheet, and more.
A combination of nature play, sensory play, process art, and playgroup.
For kids aged 1 - 5 years.
Book October Tickets Here
Book November Tickets Here

Craft & Textile

Sewing for Beginners

Mondays, 6:15pm - 8:15pm
7th October to 25 November
Explore the art of stitching with hands-on lessons covering sewing machine skills, overlocking, fabric exploration, and work on a range of projects with guidance from the tutor including alternations and repairs to existing clothing.
Bookings Via Amanda your facilitator at info@melbournefashionlab.com.au
Contact Amanda

Knit & Stitch

Tuesdays, 12:30pm - 3pm
Bring your knitting, crochet, hand-sewing, cross stitch and have a lovely chat
FREE session.
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Wellbeing & Connection

Laughter Club Altona

Monthly, Sundays, 1pm
at Cherry Lake Market

They say laughter is the best medicine and studies show that laughter can have therapeutic benefits including reducing cortisol levels, encouraging the flow of endorphins and regulating heart rate and blood pressure. Facilitated by trained volunteers, Laughter Club is open to all ages and abilities.
FREE, no bookings required, donations appreciated.
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Flow & Yin Yoga

Weekly, Tuesdays, 7pm
from 17th September
Enjoy a slow flow that builds heat and energy, before releasing into Yin shapes that rest and restore. Designed to enhance strength and mobility in the muscles, joints and deeper connective tissues, focusing on warmth and circulation in the body and inner stillness in the mind. Suitable for all levels and perfect for those with busy lives wanting to slow down.
Book Here

ADHD Support Group

Weekly, Fridays, 10am - 11:30am
Facilitated by the wonderful Alkira, who has over 25 years of professional and personal experience working with people to change behaviors and create positive change. She has developed life-long strategies to successfully live and work with her own ADHD.
FREE session.
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Intergenerational Program

Fridays at 12pm & Wednesdays at 9:30am
Information Session: Monday 7th October 12pm - 1pm

InterGen Program is getting ready to go, with the aim to reduce ageism and stigma of older and younger people. Six weekly sessions will run through October and November with older people (60+) and younger people (Years 7 & 8 from Altona College) sharing experiences and ideas to breakdown barriers and misconceptions.
For more information contact admin@ljac.com.au
Contact Us

Chinese Dance Class
with Nancy

Wednesdays at 1pm - 2:30pm
From 23rd October - 27th November

Combining the elegance of ballet with the charm of traditional Chinese dance. Whether you're looking to relax, get some exercise or experience the dance cultures of East and West, this course provides a unique opportunity to learn and enjoy. With guidance from a professional dance instructor, (pictured) participants will start with basic movements, focusing on physical and mental coordination, artistic expression and social interaction.
FREE to participate. Donations Welcome
Book Here

Introduction to Augmented Reality

Opening Launch Tuesday 15th October 4pm
Workshops on Saturday 19th October - Sunday 20th October | 12pm - 2pm

Join us for a live exhibition featuring works by two artists, and watch posters virtually come to life. Plus we have 2 x beginners classes in Adobe Aero to get started on creating your own diverse experiences, virtual exhibits or posters that come alive! Participants must be over 15 years.
FREE to attend.
Opening Launch
Workshop Bookings

B.O.B Club
(Boys Own Barbeque)

Fortnightly, Mondays, 12pm - 1pm
from 30th September

Join the boys and help cook a barbeque lunch with this friendly and inclusive group. All men welcome; no booking necessary.
$6 per session
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Chit Chat Tuesday

Weekly, Tuesdays, 1:30pm - 3pm
A social group for women. Activities, guest speakers, and good conversation.
FREE drop-in session
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Death Cafe

Last Sunday of the month,
2pm - 4pm
Join in a conversation with people who are also interested in talking about death. While death is inevitable, it's often a topic that is avoided or spoken about in hushed tones. The monthly Death Cafe will be facilitated in a safe and supported setting, however Death Cafe is not a grief support or counselling session.
FREE, no bookings required, donations appreciated.
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Kings of the Kitchen

Weekly, Wednesdays 10am - 12pm

A cooking program for men of all ages, where you can learn, experiment, play, taste, and take home what you cook.
$12 per session. Contact 9398 2511 to book
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Chair Yoga

Weekly, Wednesdays, 3pm - 4pm
Want all the benefits of Yoga but getting up or down from the mat is a challenge? Then come try Chair Yoga.
FREE drop-in session
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Tai Chi - Spring 2024

Weekly, Thursdays, 10am & 11:15am
from 10th October to 19th December

Tai Chi is a gentle form of exercise that has multiple health and wellbeing benefits and is often described as moving meditation.
Please note: The 10am session is now booked out! Contact us on 9398 2511 or at admin@ljac.com.au to enquire about the 11:15am session.
Contact Us

Pier Poetry Group

Fortnightly, Fridays 11am - 12:30pm
from 20th September
An opportunity for people who love poetry (including song lyrics) to come together and share some poems or lyrics outlining why they enjoy a particular piece, how it makes them feel or think and a brief background on the poet or songwriter.
Group convener is our Poet-In-Residence, Peter Roberts.
FREE to attend.
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Chatty Café

Weekly, Thursdays, 1:30pm - 3pm
Join us for a relaxing cuppa and a chat.

FREE drop-in session
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Fridays by the Bay

Fortnightly, Fridays 10am - 1pm

Opened to people aged under 65. Social group, with arts & wellbeing activities at the centre, workshops, guest speakers, and monthly outings with small group. Lunch included.
$6.50 per session
Funded by Hobsons Bay City Council.
Email community@ljac.com.au to book
Contact Us

Sustainable Living

Edible Gardening 101

Weekly, Wednesdays 10am - 11am
from 18th to 25th October
Join us for this 6-week program to learn (and practice!) the basics needed to grow a productive spring/summer veggie garden. Over the six weeks you will gain practical knowledge on seasonal planning and crop rotation, preparing soil for pots and garden beds, best mediums for seed raising and pots, sowing in punnets vs direct sowing, planting out and caring for seedlings, propagating seedlings from cuttings, chemical free fertilising and pest management and lots more.
Book Now

Repair Café Altona

First Saturday of the month, 12pm - 3pm
5th October and 2nd November

Have household items and treasures in need of repairs? Book in to see our clever volunteer 'fixers' and save waste to landfill. Why chuck it when you can fix it? FREE, donations appreciated.
Email culture@ljac.com.au to book
Contact Us

In the Gallery

Secundum Artem

Curated by 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.
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Online

Louis Joel Poetry Podcast

Discussing all things poetry with your hosts Peter Roberts (Poet-in-Residence at LJAC), David Tredinnick (actor, playwright, raconteur, audio buff, archivist) & Colleen Murphy (writer, diversity champion, another raconteur). Each podcast will have interviews with poets, with people who convene poetry appreciation groups, with editors or producers of poetry magazines and with members of the community outlining some of their favourite (or least favourite) poems or song lyrics, and why.
Listen Here

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

Let's stay connected

Get a monthly update on what's coming up at Louis Joel Arts & Community and be informed of new exhibitions, events, workshops, opportunities and more.
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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 Arts & Community  | Gallery
5 Sargood Street Altona
+61 3 9398 2511

Post: PO Box 583, Altona VIC 3018 
Email: admin@ljac.com.au

Monday – Friday: 9:30am – 4:30pm
Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 2pm 

Entry is always FREE

Thank you for supporting our programs and community

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands and waterways where our Centre is located, the Boonwurrung/Bunurong people, and pay respect to Elders past and present, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We appreciate the strength, resilience and pride of First Nations peoples, as demonstrated through cultural practices including storytelling, art, dance, music and care for country and communities.
We commit to the process of deep listening and truth telling as we walk shoulder to shoulder with First Nations peoples, and to inspiring all users of our Centre to care for our communities and our country, following the example set by the First Nations people in their enduring occupancy of this land over thousands of generations

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Image supplied by Scarlett Rose of exhibition 'Flesh & Clothes' with artworks by Jesse Symon & Lin Tobias