Mid Year Update.
- Janine Durston
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
We are well and truely past the mid point of 2025 and I haven't had much of a chance to write so here is a summary of what I have been up to in the past 6 months or so.
This year has kept me super busy so far. I had 3 seperate solo shows, ran some workshops and created a public artwork for the local kindergarten.
My year started with my second ArtCube residency/solo show. This time I was in Foster, South Gippsland and situated at the back of Manna Gum Community Centre https://www.mannagumcommunityhouse.org.au/next to the most magnificent tree of the same name. This is where I showcased my recent gel plate artwork and also ran a workshop for the local community on gel plate printing.
After this I was back in Keysborough, working with the local kindergarten to create a mural and public artwork. I spent several weeks working with both the 3 and 4 year old groups to create a large mural using natural objects for mark making and sensory play. This was then pieced together to create a landscape of hills and trees at dusk with animals that the children attached to the final mural.
This was then photographed and printed on an outdoor banner for public display.
It was such a rewarding experience to guide the children through the process and to see such a professional end result that the local community can now enjoy.
During this time I recieved 2 offers of solo shows, Both offers came at the same time on the same day and were scheduled back to back! (and because an artist never knows when the next job will come; I said yes to both)
So while I was continuing the work on the kindergarten project I was also prepping two solo shows! This period really taught me the importance of planning and effective time management.
The first show was in June at the Noble Park Community Centre https://nobleparkcc.org.au/. I showcased my 'Resilience' collection on the theme of the Ginkgo tree as a symbol of resilience and longevity. This was a fabulous communtiy space and an initiative of the Bendigo Bank Dingley Village.https://www.bendigobank.com.au/branch/vic/community-bank-dingley-village/
The second show was at Montsalvat in Eltham. https://montsalvat.com.au/ My exhibition was in the Long Gallery and it was a beautiful space with bluestone floors, open fireplaces and a bar for the opening. At this venue I launched my brand new 'Fruhling' collection. This work was inspired by my previous trip to Germany and fit so well with the feel and architecture of Montsalvat. I was also blessed to have my show overlapping with their winter gathering which saw the long gallery come to life with live music and a pop up cafe. The winter gathering event was a exceptional look at all that Montsalvat had to offer.
So after a very successful and busy first half of 2025, what's next?
Currently this is a time for me to get back into the studio and create again, I will also be putting work into a few local shows, working on new commissions and another mural.
I have felt so blessed for these opportunities and I want to express my gratitude to all those that have visited my exhibitions and opening events. I really do this as much for other as I do for myself and am always looking to give people a unique and fun experience. So for all the support and love I say Thankyou!
Amazing work, so many accomplishments over the alst 6 months. Time flies by so fast!