In the 1950s, 60s and 70s the visual arts education scene in Ballarat was thriving: the artistic community was passing its knowledge and techniques on to new generations who were studying at the city’s art schools.
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But gradually the schools changed hands and were consumed in to what is now Federation University.
Forty-eight artists from that period have answered a call to help stage a retrospective alumni exhibition to highlight this vibrant time in the art education sector.
The exhibition, Revamp: 50s, 60s, 70s Revisted – Celebrating Ballarat’s Art Schools, will closed, captures the talents of the university alumni who completed their studies from 1955 to 1979 at one of the former FedUni schools including the School of Mines Ballarat (SMB), Ballarat Technical School (BTS), State College of Victoria, Ballarat; Ballarat Institute of Advanced Education (BIAE); School of Mines and Industries, Ballarat (SMB - TAFE) and Ballarat College of Advanced Education (BCAE).
The materials they work with and the artforms that result are as many and varied as the artists themselves, with the results on display at FedUni’s Post Office Gallery from Friday until January 27.
Post Office Gallery curator Shelley Hinton had a big task tracking down many of the former alumni.
“It has been wonderful to make direct contact with so many former FedUni students and witness their excitement at being invited to contribute to the exhibition,” Ms Hinton said.
“While some of the artists have long moved away to Melbourne or further afield to other regional centres and interstate, it didn’t deter their desire to exhibit - eager not only to reconnect but also to be actively involved.”
Ms Hinton said it was likely Revamp would be the first of several end-of-year alumni exhibitions held over the coming years.
“This was meant to be just the 1960s and 70s but now includes some from 1955 because there are a few still there and, as you can imagine, artists who completed study in 1955 are getting on in to their 80s and we had a few inquiries from them,” she said.
Ms Hinton said the 1960s and 70s was a special time for visual art in Ballarat.
“I think during that time there was this idea that moving regional seemed, like it is now, to be a major undertaking and there were a lot of people making a tree change then because they wanted to move out of city life and away from that completely.
“And I think a lot of important teachers were happy to move to the regions. There were a lot of really significant teachers here teaching at the time which had a strong impact on a lot of students.”
The exhibition opening night will be a major event and party with a retro edge and a fantastic opportunity for artists and their families to reunite and celebrate this period.
“If people wish to dress of the era Id be happy with that,” Ms Hinton said. “Flares and retro dressing has essentially never left us so hopefully artists and visitors will join in the spirit of the time.”