UMSU Gallery news

2025 Exhibition Program Coming Soon

The George Paton Gallery exhibition program will continue in 2025.

Follow us on Instagram, or sign up to our fortnightly e-news to stay in the loop!

 
Call for Workshop Proposals

Do you have a creative workshop idea that you'd like to realise in 2025? Our current call for workshop proposals is open for Semester 1, 2025.

 
EVENT: In Conversation, Judy Annear and Chelsea Hopper

Join Judy Annear and Chelsea Hopper in conversation as part of 'The Possibilities are Immense: Fifty Years of the George Paton Gallery'. Thursday 7 November, 2PM.

 
Conceptual Infrastructure : a workshop series with Melbourne Art Library

Join Melbourne Art Library for 3 workshops in October unpacking and exploring the intangible frameworks needed to support contemporary creative production.

 
Make a Short Film with Adrian Holmes

Join Adrian Holmes for a free 2 hour film workshop on Tuesday 20 August, 12-2PM!

 
Mobile Filmmaking: a Workshop with Matthew Doherty

Join filmmaker Matthew Doherty for a free workshop exploring filmmaking using a phone, Wed 28 Aug or Thurs 29 Aug, 1-3pm.

 
The Mysterious Art of Stop Motion: a Workshop with Anthony Lucas

Join us in the Art Lab for on Wednesday August 21 from 12-2 for a free Stop Motion Animation Workshop with Anthony Lucas.

 
Screen Directing and Ideation: Making a 3-Shot Film

Workshop with filmmaker, current PhD student and teaching fellow Simin Dolatkhah, Wednesday August 14th 12-2pm in the ArtsLab.

 
Still Life Painting Workshop

Thursday 17 October, 5.30-7.30pm. Join us for a Still Life painting workshop and refine your artistic skills and vision while indulging your love for painting. Under the expert guidance of professional artist Nila Shekarvand, you'll fine-tune your investigative eye and cultivate unwavering focus.

 
Abstract Painting Workshop

Thursday 10 October, 5.30-7.30pm. Join us for a special workshop on painting abstract art designed for students. Have some fun and unleash your creative energy in our introductory abstract art workshop for beginners.

 
Acrylic Painting Workshop

Thursday 5 September, 5.30-7.30pm. You’re invited to a special painting workshop focused on mastering hard edges in acrylics. Gain the confidence and practical tools, techniques, and unique arts-based knowledge to create bold and articulate paintings.

 
Zen Drawing Workshop

Thursday 15 August, 5.30-7.30pm. Practice drawing while enhancing your concentration and meditation skills. Express your emotions and ideas through drawing techniques designed to steady your busy mind and connect you with your creative self.

 
Meditative Sketching Workshop

Thursday 8 August, 5.30-7.30pm. Combine your academic pursuits with a meditative art class to help you re-visualise and clarify your vision.

 
Resonance: a two-part sound workshop with Nina Buchanan

Join Naarm based electronic musician and composer Nina Buchanan for this two-part sound workshop.

 
The Possibilities Are Immense: Fifty Years of the George Paton Gallery

On show from 24 October - 9 November, this exhibition celebrates the rich history and bright future of the George Paton Gallery through a curated exhibition and suite of public programs.

 
Medias In Res​​

On show from 3 - 18 October​, this exhibition explores the aesthetic and narrational possibilities of films created using only three shots.

 
Shame House

On show from 3 - 18 October​, 'Shame House' is an exhibition by Grace Harré, Nica Nervegna-Reed, ​Vivienne Tetaz, and Kiki Wenzel​.

 
what is given

On show from 22 August - 6 September​, what is given ​presents new work by this year's BLOP BLOP BLOP curatorial intensive participants.

 
Light Play

On show from 15-26 July, Melbourne-based artist Kayley Martinez explores the world of light and colour through interactive, immersive installations.

 
Forever Threads: Textile Workshops with Angela Rossitto

Join artist Angela Rossitto on 23 August, 6 September, 18 October, for atextiles and weaving workshops, and learn about how she uses soft sculpture in her art practice to create large-scale, site-responsive, installations.

 
Drawing With Confidence: Tips and tricks to make the pencil less scary

Join artist and illustrator Ashley Ronning for free drawing workshops on 27 August and 15 October. Ashley will take you through a few simple drawing exercises to loosen you up and build confidence in your approach to drawing.

 
Botanical Drawing with Andrew Seward

Join artist Andrew Seward for Botanical Drawing workshops on 31 July and 18 Sept. Using simple materials such as charcoal, pencils and paper, Andrew will guide participants through a series of exercises for drawing plants from life.

 
BLOP BLOP BLOP

BLOP BLOP BLOP: An experimental curatorial intensive led by Beatrice Rubio-Gabriel.

 
Filmmaking Workshop with Carmen-Sibha Keiso

Join artist Carmen-Sibha Keiso for a three-part filmmaking workshop from 21 March, 28 March and 4 April from 1-3pm. Get hands-on with filmmaking equipment (audio and video) and plan and make a film throughout the three sessions!

 
Photography Workshop with Matto Lucas

Join us for this FREE portrait photography workshop, led by Matto Lucas on 10 April and 15 May. This is an accessible workshop, open to all skill levels, and doesn't require specialist equipment to come along and enjoy.

 
Ceramics Workshop with artist Kohl Tyler-Dunshea

Join artist Kohl Tyler-Dunshea for a handmade Ceramics Workshop from 14th March, 18th April, and 16th May! Using simple techniques and airdry clay, Kohl will guide participants through a series of exercises for experimenting with ceramics!

 
Botanical Drawing with Andrew Seward

Join artist Andrew Seward for a Botanical Drawing workshop on 3 April, 31 July, and 25 September! Using simple materials such as charcoal, pencils and paper, Andrew will guide participants through a series of exercises for drawing plants from life.

 
Forever Threads: A Knitting Workshop with Angela Rossitto

Join artist Angela Rossitto on 7 March, 11 April, and 9 May to explore experimental knitting techniques and learn about how she uses soft sculpture in her art practice to create large-scale, site-responsive, installations.

 
Drawing With Confidence: Tips and tricks to make the pencil less scary

Join artist and illustrator Ashley Ronning for free drawing workshops on 5 March and 7 May. Ashley will take you through a few simple drawing exercises to loosen you up and build confidence in your approach to drawing.

 
Making Miniature Tapestries

As part of SummerFest, join artist Christina Darras to make your own miniature tapestries using recycled cardboard on Wednesday 21 February 1-3pm!

 
Everything is Print: Screen Printing Workshop

Join Troppo Print Studio for free Screen Printing workshops on Thursday 21 March, Thursday 2nd May, and Wednesday 22 May!

 
The Living Room

By Laura Smith. On show from 20-31 May. Opening event Thursday 23 May 5-7pm.

 
Late Yellow

Featuring Keira Davis, Mia Quinn, Mary Shaw and Jack Snow-Viener. On show from 29 April - 10 May 2024. Opening event Thursday 2 May 5-7pm.

 
HOT HARD RUBBISH

Featuring Angus Della Bosca, Bailey Florence, Rachelle Koumouris, Marika Robertson, Hari Sinh and Jevons Wang. Curated by Jevons Wang. On show 8-19 April 2024. Opening event: Thursday 11 April 5-7pm.

 
Revolution: Crosspoint of Power of 45-65

'Revolution: Crosspoint of Power of 45-65' by Patriot Mukmin. On show 8-19 April 2024. Opening event: Thursday 11 April 5-7pm.

 
Endline

'Endline' featuring images by Bri Hammond with text and research by Samuel Holleran and Hannah Gould. On show 11-22 March with opening event Thursday 14 March 5-7pm.

 
Habitat

'Habitat' featuring Hoi Ni Jess Chow, Emily Jung, Deborah O'Brien and Kyle Stanton. 19 February to 1 March 2024. Opening event Thursday 22 February 5-7pm.

 
UMSU Art Collection: New Acquisitions and selected works

Curated by Channon Goodwin with Ellie Thomas. On show from 19 February to 1 March. Opening Thursday 22 February 5-7pm.

 
Drop In Crafting with Christina Darras

Take a break from exam prep and come along to our open crafting session with artist Christina Darras! Come anytime between 1-3pm on Thursday 26th October and Thursday 2nd November!

 
Flow like Water: Watercolour Painting Workshop

Join artist Nila Shekarvand on Tuesday 24th October 5:30-7:30pm to experience a calming and creative journey with guided meditation and painting. Relax your exam nerves while mastering the intricate world of watercolour painting.

 
Your World Through a Lens: a photography workshop with Yanni Florence

Join artist Yanni Florence on Tues 10th and Wed 11th October 1-3pm for a two-part photography workshop that aims to photograph the trees at the University of Melbourne!

 
Survival Guide: Artwork Documentation Workshop with Astrid Mulder

For the next in our Survival Guide professional development series, join artist Astrid Mulder on Wednesday 4th October 2-4pm for a workshop about the ins and outs of artwork documentation!

 
Forever Threads: A Knitting Workshop with Angela Rossitto

Join artist Angela Rossitto on Monday 16th October, 1-3pm to explore experimental knitting techniques and learn about how she uses soft sculpture in her art practice to create large-scale, site-responsive, installations.

 
Experimental Collaging with Jordan Wood

Join artist Jordan Wood on Friday 13th October 2-4pm for a hands-on experimental collaging workshop!

 
Botanical Drawing with Andrew Seward

Join artist Andrew Seward on Wednesday 18th October 1-3pm for a Botanical Drawing workshop! Using simple materials such as charcoal, pencils and paper, Andrew will guide participants through a series of exercises for drawing plants from life.

 
Thinking Futures: A Reading and Writing Workshop!

Thinking Futures is a reading and writing workshop based on the importance of utopia and the collective imagination of socially and ecology just futures. Taking place on 13th & 20th October from 1-3pm.

 
Secrets of My Success: Zac Millner-Cretney

Join us for a special professional development talk by filmmaker Zac Millner-Cretney. Zac will discuss his unconventional career pathway and ethics of practice: Friday 25th August 1-2pm, Level 3, Rowden White Library, Student Pavilion, University of Melbourne, Parkville

 
Secrets of My Success: Ruby-Rose Pivet-Marsh

Join us for a special professional development talk by writer, producer and arts worker Ruby-Rose Pivet-Marsh: Wednesday 23rd August 1-2pm, Level 3, Rowden White Library, Student Pavilion, University of Melbourne, Parkville.

 
Making Video Art Together a workshop w/ Nina Mulhall

Join artist Nina Mulhall for ‘Making Video Art Together’ a three-part workshop 13, 20, 27 September 1-2:30pm. Making Video Art Together guides participants through forms of collective production of documentary-style video art including developing ideas, filming, and editing.

 
Performance Photography Workshop with Jack Dixon-Gunn

Do you want to learn how to photograph theatre, dance and contemporary performance? This will be a fun and accessible workshop taking place over two dates: 10th August 1-3pm (Guild Theatre) & 24th August 1-3pm (George Paton Gallery).

 
Everything is Print: Screen Printing workshop with Troppo Print Studio

Join Matt & Sarah from Troppo on Friday 18th August, 1-3pm for a free Screen Printing workshop!

 
History

Anyone wishing to understand the contemporary art scene in Melbourne during the 1970s and 1980s need look no further than the program of events at the Ewing and George Paton Galleries. In addition to launching the careers of some of Australia’s finest artists, the gallery provided a training ground for some of our most influential Curators.

 
Shimmer(ing)

‘Shimmer(ing)’ approaches phenomena by way of embodiment. The feeling of light shimmering atop a reflective surface; shimmering; visual onomatopoeia; a verbal designation that captures the quality of something intangible...
23 October–3 November

 
Unplayable Games

Welcome to our suite of Unplayable Games; a memorial to tabletop pastimes and their ashes.
23 October–3 November

 
The Artist’s Eye

'The Artist’s Eye' is an exhibition closely inspired by the essays in John Berger’s book ‘Ways of Seeing’. Featuring VCA 2022 graduates and curated by Patricia Agus.
2–13 October

 
11-22 SEPTEMBER: ENTRANCE: NABIS2K

NABIS2K is an exhibition of contemporary painters whose work addresses age-old themes of decoration, ornamentation, and domestic space with a modern perspective and palette.

 
JAS H. DUKE: Back from Brighton

This exhibition features material from Duke’s time in Brighton and his return to Melbourne in early 1973, where he became a member of Collective Effort Press (est. 1978). 31 July–11 August

 
You, Me, and Everything Around Us

This is an exhibition of photographic and multi-disciplinary works that explore the interconnectedness of the human body and the environments they occupy (both physical and emotional) through the lens of autobiographical relationships. 31 July–11 August

 
2025 Workshop Program Coming Soon

Join our E-News and follow our Instagram page for 2025 workshop announcements.

 
Exhibition Example

Recent exhibition

 
Event: Critical Perceptions: practice, publishing, performance

Join us at the George Paton Gallery for conversations, readings and performances, as part of The Possibilities Are Immense: Fifty Years of the George Paton Gallery. Thursday 31 October, 6-7PM.

 
Sound + Production Workshops with AVM!

Want to get involved in sound and production? Interested in live music and mixing? Join UMSU’s in-house technical production team for a series of free workshops to build your skills!

 
Creative Collage Workshop

Thursday 26 September, 5.30-7.30pm. Calling all visionaries, creatives and STEM artists. There are many solutions to a problem. Bring your ideas to into art, refine your vision or take a new approach—whatever works for you, we've got you covered in our collage craft workshop.

 
Watercolour painting Workshop

Thursday 19 September, 5.30-7.30pm. Join us for a chill watercolour painting session and bring some balance to your busy week! Discover how painting with watercolours can bring peace and serenity to your creative practice.

 
Colour Painting Workshop

Thursday 29 August, 5.30-7.30pm. Join us for a creative session and let your inner artist shine with acrylics! Attend this workshop to learn the art of acrylic painting and expand your artistic palette with our colour-focused activities.

 
Fragmentary Encounters: a Subject Reader Workshop

A two-part experimental research workshop, engaging with the subject reader as a form of creative/critical practice.

 
Permutations: 18 x 4

Permutations: 18 x 4 is curated by Isabel Baker, Georgina Loughnan, and Mia Palmer-Verevis. On show from November 14 - December 5. Closing event: Thursday December 5, 6-8pm.

 
UMSU Art Prize​

On show from 12 September - ​ 28 September, the inaugural UMSU Art Prize is a major new initiative that celebrates the legacy of student unionism in Australia and the power of student voices.

 
Lore and Order: In Memoriam of Silver City Lodge No. 141​

On show from 22 August - 6 September​ 'Lore and Order: In Memoriam of Silver City Lodge No. 141' unearths artefacts and stories linking Masonic ritual, Mad Max, and BHP's early histories.

 
Home

On show from 1-16 August, Home is an exhibition by Antoinette Armstrong, Georgia Harding and Kiki Stanford​.

 
PISS IN MY POCKET

On show from 1-16 August, PISS IN MY POCKET is a solo exhibition by Mae Czechowski.

 
Photography Workshop with Matto Lucas

Join us for FREE portrait photography workshops, led by Matto Lucas on 7 August and 2 October. These workshops are accessible, open to all skill levels and don't require specialist equipment to enjoy.

 
Everything is Print: Screen Printing Workshop

Join Troppo Print Studio for a free Screen Printing workshops in the Arts Lab!

 
A croissant tray is only a croissant tray until you look a third time

Featuring Hoi Ni Jess Chow, Freja Innes-Ker and Mikaela McBain. On show from 20-31 May 2024. Opening event Thursday 23 May 5-7pm.

 
(de)compositions

By rochelle morris. On show from 29 April - 10 May 2024. Opening event Thursday 2 May 5-7pm .

 
Sincere Affection

'Sincere Affection' featuring Lewis Egan and Lana Knezevic. On show 11-22 March with opening event Thursday 14 March 5-7pm.

 
Contemporary Collage and Illustration with Minna Gilligan

Join artist Minna Gilligan on Wednesday 25th October 1-3pm to explore the mediums of collage and illustration. This workshop will take you through the A-Z of contemporary collage!

 
Sustainable Beeswax & Vegan Food Wraps with Christina Darras

Join artist Christina Darras in this free workshop 12th of October 12-2pm. Make your own beeswax or vegan food-wraps and say goodbye to plastic!

 
Fussy Artlab: Accessories DIY Workshop

Join the team from Fussy Artlab for a handmade workshop! Design your own accessories, create a personalized gift for your bestie or simply relax and make new friends.

 
Drawing on Complexity

Be part of creating an epic drawing that will take over multiple locations at UniMelb during Mudfest from 23-26 August.

 
Secrets of My Success: Rosa Spring Voss

Join us for a special professional development talk by photographer Rosa Spring Voss. Rosa will discuss her practice, career pathway and approaches to creative wellbeing: Thursday 24th August 1-2pm, Level 3, Rowden White Library, Student Pavilion, University of Melbourne, Parkville

 
Portrait Photography with Matto Lucas

Join artist Matto Lucas on Tuesday 15th August 1-3pm for a FREE portrait photography workshop! Matto Lucas is an Australian artist, photographer, creator, curator and art facilitator working within mixed and digital media, with a preference for photography and performance.

 
Contact and e-news signup

Get in touch with the GPG and visit us in person at the Arts and Cultural Building.

 
Arts Lab

The Arts Lab is an open-access art studio for creative activity located on level 1, Arts and Cultural Building, Monash Road, Building 159.

 
11-22 SEPTEMBER: MAIN: VCA Graduate Residency and Exhibition Award: Jordan Koudmani

Jordan Koudmani’s practice revolves around the construction of sound-based sculptures, stringing together derelict materials and analogue media.

 
Sound Explorations Lab

Become awake to the sounds of our world and how they can tell stories. Union House Theatre and the George Paton Gallery present the Sound Explorations Lab, a 3-part workshop series hosted by sound artist Mara Schwerdtfeger.

 
Creative Neighbourhoods: a walking tour of Collingwood Yards

Join us for a walking tour of Collingwood Yards, a former technical college, revitalised into a creative arts precinct and affordable home for numerous creative businesses, galleries, and studios.

 
Cut and Paste Library

Join us on Wednesday 19 July for Cut and Paste Library – a fun, playful, experimental collage and illustration workshop with artist Mina Gilligan!

 
Misdemeanours

MJ Bentley, Jaja, Kathy Chen, Cael Gilmour, Channon Goodwin, Lana Knezevic, Isaac Lizardo, Mikaela McBain, Sean Monaghan, Jolin See, Sara Seresli, Lilly Skipper, Poppy Skipper, Nicole Theodore, Jessie Turner. Curated by Lilly Skipper.