Local art trail now on display in Ballarat’s CBD

Brand new local art is now on display in an initiative that has been designed to encourage locals and visitors to explore the CBD. 

Seven new art installations by talented local creatives have been installed across Ballarat’s city centre, showcasing each artist’s favourite things about Ballarat. 

Local artist Scott Leonard said he is so happy to have a chance to bring some extra colour to Ballarat in winter.

“Hopefully my piece brightens someone's day,” he said.

“As a creative, I love the different makers of Ballarat – the artists, photographers, jewellers, ceramicists, chefs, breweries, baristas, musicians that put the town on the map. So, I created a fun collaged typography and illustration piece championing the world class people of the town.” 

City of Ballarat Councillor Samantha McIntosh said locals and visitors can even share what they love about Ballarat on the QR codes at each artwork and go in the running to win a gift voucher to a local business.

“Despite the cold, Ballarat’s CBD is a great place to rug up and wander around, and this is a great excuse to follow the fantastic local art installations,” she said. 

“The artist’s favourite things about Ballarat will encourage us to think about what we love about our city.” 

The artworks across Ballarat showcase everything from the Botanical Gardens to the Art Gallery of Ballarat and even local producers that put Ballarat on the map. 

See the full art trail at the following locations: 

Corner Mair Street and Armstrong Street North

Joel Hammonds inspiration comes from the Ballarat Art Gallery, showing different aspects of the gallery and how visitors experience this and shows his son, Wolfy, moving through the different spaces in the gallery.

Hop Lane

Margie Balazic’s colourful story-book style mural centres around local wildlife, wildflowers and Ballarat’s heritage buildings. 

Amanda Western’s impactful mural shows how people and wildlife coexist at Lake Wendouree. 

131 Sturt Street 

See Spencer Harrison’s vibrant mural including Ballarat’s famous begonias, the Fernery and historic lamp posts. 

Parent Place

Jay Kulbardi has prepared visual icons that scream Ballarat, such as the sweet raspberry drops from Sovereign Hill, the Black Hill lookout and the Eureka Gardens play-space. 

Myer, Armstrong Street South

A colourful mural completed by Rach Jackson, is inspired by Lake Wendouree including the boat sheds, swans and statues from the Botanical Gardens. 

Corner Sturt and Doveton Street South 

The collage style mural completed by Scott Leonard shows artists, photographers, jewellers, baristas, chefs and more known in Ballarat. 

The local art trail is a joint initiative between the City of Ballarat and Tourism Midwest Victoria.