Solstice 26 – we are off and running

Posted on May 5, 2026 by jason nahrung

There was quite the buzz at the Ballarat North Bowling Club on Sunday 3 May for the draw of the Solstice 26 combinations.

With 20 of the 24 writers present and a similar percentage of the participating artists, there was quite the hubbub, with all but one of the exhibition’s artworks also on show.

Once the pairings had been drawn – randomly from two stylish hats – it was time for a natter as well as some serious photographing and note taking as the writers had a chance to meet the artists (talk of inspirations and intents was not on the table) and survey their assigned works.

The writers now have a fortnight to compose their drafts before proofing and production ahead of the exhibition, running 19-21 June at the bowling club.

The launch is at 6pm on the 19th, with the exhibition open 10am-4pm both weekend days. More details to come!

SHAC chair Cliff Adeney and Words Out Loud co-curator Jason Nahrung kick off the draw. Picture: Neale Thompson

Some of the crowd as the assignments are drawn. Picture: Neale Thompson

Solstice 26 — writers and artists unite!

Posted on April 27, 2026 by jason nahrung

We are pleased to announce that Soldiers Hill Artist Collective and Words Out Loud are once again uniting to present an ekphrastic exhibition!

Centred on the theme of the winter solstice (but not exclusively), the Solstice 26 exhibition entails 24 Central Highlands writers providing responses in prose and poetry to SHAC artworks that I expect will encompass the group’s range of talents: woodwork, painting, photography, ceramics, textiles, and more.

This will be the third such collaboration, this time supported by a Creative Inspiration grant from Ballarat City Council, for which we are grateful to be auspiced by Ballarat Arts Alive.

Thanks to the grant, there will be a subsidised writing workshop on the Sunday run by Ballarat writer Melissa Watts — details to come. Keep an eye out for an arts workshop on the Saturday!

Solstice 26 will run at Ballarat North Bowling Club, 402 Gregory Street, on Saturday 20 June and Sunday 21 June, 10am–4pm.

The official opening will be on Friday 19 June at 6pm, with nibbles and cash bar. All welcome!