The inaugural Rocky River Art Gala
22–24 August 2025
The Big Hoose
Our next excuse to gather… the fanciest, most prestigious art event that Rocky River has ever seen!
Everyone who attends contributes an artwork (the kids, the adults, the dogs too if they want)
+ we put it on display to admire and make posh conversation about
+ we play and dance and chat and feast and play some more!
3 themed categories to enter your artwork — any style, any medium — or enter the wildcard open category.
Work on your artwork in advance, or create something when you arrive.
All artworks should be new, created between now and the gala.
Artworks will be displayed all weekend.
Guests have the choice to allow their artworks to find new homes in a play auction at the end of the gala.
🎨 Categories
Self-portrait — in any style, any medium.
Duo-chrome — any kind of artwork using only 2 colours.
Word association — any kind of artwork based on personal interpretation of any of the following words: “light”, “growth”, “cuppa”.
Open — any kind of artwork, any style, any subject.
All guests provide minimum 1 entry and a brief “artist bio”.
Max 1 entry into each category.
Provide a brief “artist statement” for each artwork.
None of this is expected to be serious 😉 we are here to PLAY
🎪 Workshops — Friday arvo & Saturday morning
We’re all so dang talented! Let’s have a play and see what we can share, learn, and create together.
Got a workshop you’d like to run? Let me know!
Ideas:
paper making with Jess ✅ Make your own recycled paper for drawing, letters, cards and more
gum tree dyes with Sarah ❓
lantern making with Sarah ❓
tie dye with Ebony ❓ BYO white shirt, tablecloth, bag etc to inject some fresh new colour
still life & model sketches with Erin?? ❓ Take turns to strike a pose for 30-second sketches, or drop in anytime to work on a still life drawing
weaving with Sandy or Susan❓
whittling wood with Danny ✅ Make your own spinning top, spoon, hair pin, fairy faces, or something else
🥂 Grand opening — Saturday arvo
Time to toast to ourselves — the artists! — and our magnificent artworks. We will raise a glass of something bubbly, make a couple of pompous (and short) speeches, then enjoy some scintillating conversations as we peruse the gallery with our peers and nibble on tiny fancy snacks.
Flashy outfits encouraged.
Supplied bubbles will be non-alco, BYO the real stuff if you like! 🍾
🔨 Auction — Sunday morning
Want to take a displayed artwork home after the gala?
Bid for your favourite pieces in an auction on Sunday morning, using casino chips supplied by the house. All guests receive 5 chips to bid how they like.
Artists may choose to withhold their artworks from the auction if they wish.
To be clear, there is no real money involved!
🍽️ Food
The usual — all vegan-ish, gluten-free main meals provided with the usual care for dietary requirements and preferences. You absolutely do not need to bring anything extra, but if you like you’re welcome to BYO meat, special treats, safe snacks for your kids, and anything else you fancy.
🛏️ Accommodation
The usual — plenty of space around the house to set up camp, and a few indoor beds you can baggsy (please BYO bedding if possible).
✨ Vibe
The usual — family friendly, village vibe, co-creation of the weekend as we go, bring your friends, have a sleepover. You don’t need to bring anything or do anything once you’re here, but you’re also welcome to contribute however you like, if you like.
🔁 Arrivals and departures
Ostensibly the party runs Friday 22 – Sunday 24, but as always we welcome early arrivals and long stayers, with the following notes:
Wednesday arvo — you’re officially part of the crew and you’ll get roped in to help set up
Thursday — you’re officially in the chill zone, and get to settle in and kick back, maybe go chainsaw some firewood if that sounds fun
Friday — whoohoo! we are putting final touches on the exhibition space and the workshops begin
Saturday — after some morning workshops, we are feeling fancy and ready for the grand opening… if you’re only coming for a day trip, make it today
Sunday — we play at running an art auction and say goodbyes to those who must depart
Monday — the afterparty… which is mostly lying down in a sunny patch and eating leftovers
Tuesday — you officially live here now
