By Callum Ludwig
The Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead’s annual Art on the Hill exhibition is set to feature alongside an inaugural Spring Festival this weekend
Visitors can view Art on the Hill for free on Thursday 21 September and Friday 22 September, or for a $5 entry (adult ticket) can enjoy the spring festivities as well as the exhibition over the weekend.
Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead Administrator Deb Duncan said they are very excited for the first Spring festival.
“The idea was to have a family-friendly event where we can show some of the trades, the arts and the crafts that have been done in times gone past,” she said.
“We’ve got a really good selection of everything; stitching, embroidery, weavers, spinners, a handbook binder that makes notebooks, a chair maker, beautiful glasswork and timber work and of course our own blacksmiths, preservation machinery shed and woodturners as well.”
Food and drinks will be available to be had at the on-site cafe Two Peas in their Pod throughout the event, as well as the chance to try some handcrafted bread and cheeses or sip the beers from Hop Hen Brewing.
Ms Duncan said the homestead continues to be a bit of a hidden gem.
“It’ll give people the opportunity to wander the gardens, which are just starting to burst forward now with spring, which is gorgeous as well as the homestead and slab kitchen which will be open as well,” she said.
“We often hear from people who come time and time again and then there’s others that come for the very first time that live quite close to here, so it’s a really good opportunity to be able to do that, especially with the perfect weather we should have.”
Kids come for free, with activities, donkey rides, face painting and the chance to make their very own clay sculpture too.
Art on the Hill exhibition coordinator and blacksmith Paul Cacioli said this year’s exhibition features nearly 60 pieces.
“They are mainly sculptures and paintings, from about 23 or 24 artists, both regional and local, and it’s been supported by the Association of Sculptors of Victoria, and we’ve got a really eclectic mixture including ceramics, wood carvings, marble, steel paintings, oil and acrylics,” he said.
“We’ve got some high-end sculptures, some really beautiful bronzes, we’ve got some very contemporary works as well as the traditional stuff.”
Free parking is available on-site at the Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead at 71 Wellington Road, Wandin North.
