WITH Hamilton Gallery closed for climate control and lighting upgrades, 'Art Outside The Walls' was recently launched, a program of creative activities popping up in venues across the region during May and June.

The Gallery’s Education and Engagement Officer, Amelia Jones said, “We’re excited to be taking creative activities on the road and into our wider community with classes across the region as part of our ‘Art Outside The Walls’ program.

We’re heading to Byaduk, Penshurst and Coleraine next plus utilising other spaces across the region in events for adults, too.”

The Gallery’s free HG:Play sessions are held every Wednesday during term time by facilitating artist, Madi Whyte.

These popular sessions for ages four to 11 have already included two sessions at the Hamilton Institute of Rural Learning, including learning to draw portraits and create art based on works from the Hamilton Gallery collection.

Upcoming HG:Play sessions include creating clay Toby Jugs at the Byaduk Hall today, making bird collages at the Penshurst Memorial Hall on Wednesday, May 24 and Peter Tully-inspired Magnets at Coleraine Mechanics Institute on Wednesday, May 31.

In June HG:Play Outside The Walls sessions will also occur themed around public art, printmaking and creating felt food; places are free but must be booked online via Eventbrite.

Adults can engage in nude life drawing at historic Arrandoovong Homestead in Branxholme from 2-4pm on Saturday, May 20, with tickets priced at $50 including live music by talented local musician, Noah Sycopoulis, tea, coffee and light refreshments.

Saturday, June 17 is all about the Baroque, with local wine, catering and Baroque string music set within the prestigious Chateau Kolor, Penshurst.

The final event in the series is an idyllic life drawing session with a backdrop of the Grampians National Park at Dunkeld’s Mt Sturgeon Homestead on Saturday, June 24.

Still taking place during the gallery’s disruption to normal open hours is the pop-up quilting exhibition in The Hub shopping centre, Hamilton; ‘A Touch of Ruby’ celebrates 40 Years of Hamilton Quilters Inc.

The exhibition showcases over 16 beautiful and intricate quilts and wall hangings created by members, with each quilter responding to the Ruby Anniversary theme with their own interpretation.

Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the makers personally and see the craftmanship at work as quilts are being created, since the organisation’s 16 members will be manning the exhibition space and working on quilts during opening hours.

The exhibition is open Monday to Friday from 10.30am to 3.30pm until Friday, May 26.

See hamiltongallery.org for the full program of what’s on and to book tickets to upcoming events. For more information on what's on during May and June see hamiltongallery.org, connect with @hamiltongalleryvic on social media or join the mailing list via info@hamiltonpac.com.au