From practical workshops and artist-led activities, to guest speaker programs, seniors’ week celebrations and fun family days, there’s something for all to enjoy. Selected highlights in the coming months are as follows.

Celebrating seniors for the month of October, the gallery is presenting a series of free 20-minute talks thanks to our team of volunteer guides:

October 7 & 28, 12pm – celebrating senior artists in the Collection

October 29, 12pm – sculpture highlights on display

October 5 & 30, 12pm – the European Collection

A Pleasant Afternoon

October 6, 2-3.30pm – enjoy a terrific musical performance by Bendigo Senior Secondary College students followed by afternoon tea. Cost: $3 seniors, $4 non-seniors. Companion card accepted. Bookings essential.

October 8, from 11.30am – to coincide with the current exhibition and the Bendigo Fashion Festival, acclaimed fashion designer Toni Maticevski will create a new work over several hours in the gallery. Visitors are invited to observe the process as he cuts, drapes and sculpts fabric to create a garment, fitted to a model. Bookings required. No photography.

October 15, 10am–4pm – bring your family treasures to be valued by Warren Joel, from Byjoel. Warren is one of the most sought after, experienced valuers and auctioneers in Australia. Warren can value a wide range of items, including artworks, furniture and decorative arts. Large pieces such as furniture can be valued from good photographs. This is a fundraising event for the Friends of Bendigo Art Gallery.

Cost: $5 per item, limit of three items per person. No advance bookings.

October 19, La Trobe University Visual Arts Centre, 121 View Street; 10am morning tea, 10:30am guest speaker – meet Charles and Leah Justin, passionate collectors of contemporary art. Free. Hearing loop available.

October 23, 1–3pm – learn some couture hand-stitching techniques to embellish your garments, and create a sampler of various embroidery stitches, appliqué and beading. Cost: $15 members/$20 non-members. Bookings essential.