200 local artists contribute to ‘rare’ show of artistry

More than 200 Geelong region artists and craftspeople are represented in a rare exhibition at the city’s National Wool Museum.
Titled Christmas Creations for Mr Johnston – by Geelong Artisans, the exhibition consists of exquisite hand-made decorations for a popular 2009 Christmas display at Melbourne’s prestigious Johnston Collection.
The late antique dealer and collector William Johnston assembled an astonishing array of Georgian, Regency and Louis XV fine and decorative arts and antiquities.
More than 200 artists from nine Geelong organisations provided the decorations for last year’s annual Christmas at the Johnston Collection exhibition. Tree and table decorations, porcelain presents, colourful quilts, handcrafted festive food and a 1.5m high glass Christmas tree are some of the highlights of the Geelong exhibition.
Geelong council heritage portfolio holder Cameron Granger said the exhibition highlighted Geelong’s rich pool of artistic talent.
“Rarely do we get the opportunity to see so many works by Geelong artists and craftspeople in the one location,” Cr Granger said.
The exhibition will be on display from Saturday until August 29.