Threads of
Belonging

Exhibiting

Who can exhibit?
Any artist aged 18 or older, at any stage of their practice, from anywhere in Australia. Current Woodleigh students may also exhibit by invitation.

Does it cost anything?
No. Registration and return postage are free.

How do I register?
Complete the registration form. Registrations close Tuesday 1 December 2026, or earlier if we reach 1,000 works.

What will I receive?
Three A5 cards (use one, two or all three), a prepaid return envelope, an invitation to Opening Night and a digital tile to share with your networks.

What kind of work can I make?
Original work in any medium or technique, as long as it fits A5, can be posted and is suitable for public display. Sculptural work is welcome if it fits the A5 size. Each piece should respond to the theme, Threads of Belonging, however you like.

What do I need to do once I’ve registered?
Make your work, complete the details on the back of each piece and return it in the prepaid envelope by Friday 15 January 2027. Then come and celebrate with us on Opening Night.

Do artists get paid?
No. Every artwork is a donation, and all profits go to the Resident Artist Bursary, supporting Arts education at Woodleigh and across the Mornington Peninsula community. Artists retain copyright of their work.

Can I exhibit without applying for the bursary?
Yes, absolutely.

Resident Artist Bursary

What is the Resident Artist Bursary?
A $10,000 bursary for one Threads exhibiting artist to undertake a ten-day residency at Woodleigh School in 2027.

Can I apply without exhibiting?
No. You need to register to exhibit first, then apply.

Who is eligible?
Registered exhibiting artists aged 18 or older who hold a current Working with Children Check and agree to comply with Woodleigh's Child Safety Policy. Current Woodleigh students are not eligible.

What does the Resident Artist do?
Spend ten school days (9am to 4pm) working onsite in the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Gallery, where students can observe and interact with your practice. The residency also includes one evening talk for families, staff and the community, and one two-hour workshop. At the end, you donate one small artwork to the gallery’s Permanent Collection.

What does the bursary cover?
Travel, accommodation, meals, materials, local transport and any other costs associated with the residency. Artists manage their own budget and insurance.

What should my application include?
Up to 200 words telling us who you are and why you'd like to be part of a connected creative culture. There's no set format. You can also attach up to five images of your work (JPEG, 500KB or less each).

How do I apply?
Complete the bursary application form. Applications close Tuesday 1 December 2026.

How is the Resident Artist selected?
An invited panel reads every application and looks at your images. There's no set formula. We're looking for an artist whose practice and outlook would bring something special to ten days with our students and community.

When is the recipient announced?
At Opening Night, Friday 12 February 2027.

Buying Artwork

When and where can I buy?
In person at the Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Gallery, Woodleigh Senior Campus, at Opening Night (Friday 12 February 2027, 7pm), on Saturday 13 February (10am to 4pm), and by appointment until Friday 26 February 2027.

How does buying work on Opening Night?
Small groups are brought through the gallery one at a time, and each person can choose up to three works. Every piece is $150, first come, first served, and you take it home that night.

Can I reserve or pre-order?
No. There are no presales or reservations.

Are the works framed?
No, but we do have frames available to purchase that fit the works, made by our very own Product Design teacher, Mr David Colcott. 

Eligibility to Exhibit

• Open to artists aged 18 and over, *with the exception of invited, current Woodleigh students.

Eligibility to Apply for Resident Artist Bursary

• Be over 18
• A valid Working with Children Check is required. 
• Artists must comply with Woodleigh’s Child Safety Policy 

Residency Requirements

• The selected artist must commit to:
  • A 10-day onsite residency (9 am – 4 pm) at Woodleigh School at a workable time decided upon between the recipient and Woodleigh School
  • Be available for students to interact and observe artist's practice
  • Deliver a talk for families, staff and the community.
  • One 2-hour workshop.
  • Donation of one (small) artwork to Woodleigh’s Permanent Collection, Elisabeth Murdoch Gallery.

Exhibition Participation

• To qualify for the bursary, the artist must participate in the Threads of Belonging exhibition, opening February 12, 2027
• All work must remain A5 in size
• Any medium accepted
• The exhibited work must respond to the theme and be suitable for public display.
• Woodleigh School reserves the right to exclude works deemed inappropriate or incomplete.

Bursary Use

• The $10,000 bursary may be used for:
  • Travel and accommodation
  • Meals and materials
  • Transport
  • Other residency-related expenses
• Artists are responsible for managing their own budget and insurance.

Intellectual Property & Promotion

• Artists retain copyright of all works.
• By participating, artists permit Woodleigh School to use images of their work for promotional purposes
• Woodleigh will credit the artist wherever possible.

Artwork Handling

• Artists are responsible for ensuring their work is delivered in finished condition.
• Unsold works will be put on Woodleigh’s school website for sale

Privacy & Data Use

• Personal information collected during the application process will be used solely for programme administration and promotion.

General

• Participation in the programme implies acceptance of these terms.