Opportunity for artists

Local artists are being offered the chance to turn everyday furniture into public artworks as part of a new creative initiative at the West Gippsland Arts Centre.
Baw Baw Shire Council has called for expressions of interest from artists living within the shire to paint a series of wooden boxes that will be transformed into functional coffee tables for visitors to the Warragul venue.
The project will see up to 20 artists commissioned to create original works on the plywood boxes, which will then be installed throughout the arts centre's foyer spaces for patrons to use and enjoy for up to two years.
Each successful artist will receive a $250 commission fee to design and paint a single box.
While the pieces will serve a practical purpose as coffee tables, council is encouraging artists to treat them as miniature public artworks, with creative freedom over colour, style and subject matter.
The boxes, measuring about 50 centimetres on each side, will be primed by council before being handed to artists.
Located in the heart of Warragul, the West Gippsland Arts Centre hosts touring musicians, theatre productions, comedians and community events, while also maintaining a year-round visual arts exhibition program.
The project comes as the venue prepares to celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2027.
Artists are required to be residents of Baw Baw Shire and can apply by submitting examples of previous work, information about their artistic practice and a brief concept outlining what they would paint on the box.Council has noted that some artists may be selected before the closing date, encouraging early submissions.
Expressions of interest close at 5pm on Thursday, October 29, with completed boxes due by December 15.
Applications can be submitted via email to creativearts@wgac.com.au.