Welcome to Threads.
Woodleigh School's Inaugural Art Exhibition and Resident Artist Program.
Artists from across Australia are invited to donate 2D works, apply for a $10,000 residency and celebrate creativity, community and connection in an Arts Education setting.
The Threads of Belonging exhibition opens on 6 Feb 2026 in the Elisabeth Murdoch Gallery at Woodleigh School Senior Campus.
Registrations are now open.
Register to Exhibit
We invite you to be part of Threads of Belonging, Woodleigh School’s inaugural art exhibition and the launch of our first-ever Resident Artist Program. This is the first initiative of its kind to be hosted by a school in Australia. Threads celebrates the role of The Arts in our everyday lives and how they help us connect and belong.
Artists, alumni and community members from across Australia are coming together to contribute works that explore the theme Threads of Belonging: the invisible lines that tie us to people, places, moments and memories.
In a time when funding cuts have deeply impacted artists and the art culture, especially here on the Mornington Peninsula, we want an opportunity to act, stand together and create something meaningful. All works will be exhibited anonymously and sold at a uniform price of $150, allowing the art to speak for itself. Artist identities will be revealed only after the work is sold. All proceeds from the art exhibition directly support the Resident Artist Program.
From students through to working artists, everyone will display and sell their works as peers, and buyers purchase works without bias.
Once your registration has been received, we’ll send your artist pack directly to your nominated address.
We hope you’ll join us in bringing together this powerful exhibition. Your voice matters and we can’t wait to see what you create.
Kind regards,
Sophie Perez & Emma Cleine
Curators, Threads of Belonging
Resident Artist Bursary Application
Once you have registered to exhibit (above), we invite you to apply for Woodleigh School’s inaugural Resident Artist Program.
One artist will receive a $10,000 bursary to support a 10-day residency at Woodleigh School, where they will engage with students, staff and the broader community through their creative practice and collaboration.
To be eligible, you will:
- Participate in the Threads of Belonging exhibition (opening 6 February 2026 at the Elisabeth Murdoch Gallery).
- Submit a formal application for the Resident Artist Program.
- Be over 18
This is a unique opportunity to be part of the voice of the Arts as a whole, and inspire the next generation - all while receiving a well deserved bursary.
To Apply
Please submit your 200-word proposal (and up to five samples of your own work if you'd like to) responding to the theme Threads of Belonging. Use the registration form on this page by the close of business on Monday 19 January 2026.
We look forward to receiving your application and seeing how you interpret Threads of Belonging.
Kind regards,
Sophie Perez & Emma Cleine
Curators, Threads of Belonging
Terms and Conditions
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.
- Be available for students to interact and observe your art 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 6, 2026.
- 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 for 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.
FAQs
How do I purchase an artwork?
In person at the Elisabeth Murdoch Gallery, Woodleigh School Senior Campus. First-come, first-served – no preorders. No exceptions. All remaining works will be available to purchase online (here) after the exhibition.
Do you sell framed artworks?
No, however, we recommend Southern Bouy framers.
Are there any presales?
First in, no reservations. In person/gallery only until the exhibition closes!
Can I apply for the bursary without exhibiting?
No, unfortunately not. But why not just exhibit, too.
Can I participate in the Threads of Belonging exhibition without applying for the bursary?
Yes, you certainly can.
Who can be an artist?
Everyone is welcome to participate as an artist in the Threads of Belonging Exhibition, regardless of experience and age.
How do artists sign up to participate? Registration forms are on this page.
Does it cost money to participate?
No
What type of artworks are accepted?
Original works only, any technique and medium, variety is what we want.
Sculptures?
If they fit the A5 dimension, then yes.
What happens to unsold works?
They will be available to everyone to purchase via our website.
Do artists receive any payment?
No, all artworks are a donation (and we thank you endlessly). Profits are donated in whole to the Resident Artist Program, supporting the creative culture at Woodleigh School and the Mornington Peninsula community.
How are artworks displayed?
All works will be displayed physically in our in-person gallery for the duration of the exhibition, during school hours and weekends. After the exhibition, the remaining works will be for sale on Woodleigh’s school website.
How is the Resident Artist selected?An invited panel of judges will be responsible for choosing the Resident Artist in response to the proposal submitted.