October is the month to get out and explore the extraordinary depth of creative talent living and working across South Gippsland, with Art Connect South Gippsland's open studios program bringing galleries, studios and community spaces to life across the region. The initiative offers the public rare direct access to artists in their working environments, and to exhibitions that range from the intimate to the ambitious.
Three established South Gippsland artists, Anne Miller, Kerry Spokes and Ann Parry, are presenting a vibrant exhibition at the Anne Miller Artspace, 21 Main Street, Foster as part of the 2026 program. All three artists are accomplished practitioners with strong connections to the local arts community and extensive exhibition histories of printmaking, painting and sculptural works. While each artist brings a distinctly individual style and creative approach, together they offer visitors a diverse and engaging exhibition showcasing new works created especially for the event.
Each weekend during the Open Studio Arts Trail (3–25 October 2026), Anne, Kerry and Ann will be on site to personally welcome visitors, discuss their work and share insights into their artistic practices.
The Anne Miller Artspace features three large street-facing windows that add colour, creativity and entertainment to the many residents and visitors passing through Foster. Anne notes, “Ann, Kerry and I are thrilled to be working together to present this exhibition in the space as part of the Open Studio Arts Trail." The exhibition will be open each Saturday and Sunday for the first three weekends in October from 10.00am to 3.00pm.
There are many other Prom Coast venues and artists participating in Art Connect this October, including Meeniyan Art Gallery, which presents Dwell by Regina Dudek, Juxtaposed by Glenys Mann and Fins and Feathers by Elisabeth Scott. Open 10am to 4pm, Wednesday to Monday. meeniyanartgallery.com.au
Thirsty Works Gallery in Tarwin Lower features painting, prints, jewellery, woodwork, glassware and textiles from Mandy Gunn, Scott McFadden, Russell Shaw, Gayle Rogers, Allison Remfrey, Mary Henry, Giulio Marcolongo and Roxanne McMillian. Open 10am to 4pm on October 10-11 and 17-18. Also in Tarwin Lower, at the Community Health Centre, the local Art Group presents an array of work in various mediums including illustrated family books and exotic handcrafted jewellery from Patricia Freeman, Sydney Somerville, Chris Krzyzanowski, Kim Harvey, Robyn Ellen and Roz Crawford. Open 11am to 2pm Saturday and Sunday.
In Fish Creek, Helen Tiernan presents her most recent body of work, which focuses on the whales of south-east Australia, referencing whale songlines, navigational discovery and human environmental degradation. Open 10am on October 3-4 and 10-11; October 17-18 by appointment. Call 0412 999 824 or visit helenstiernan.com. Another noted Fish Creek artist, Macgregor Knox, is offering a 60-year retrospective of his works, spanning drawing, timber carving, mud bricks, music videos and film. Open 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday. macgregorknox.com
Foster’s Stockyard Gallery will be buzzing, with mini workshops and demos from Toora Little Press artists from 12pm to 3pm (visitors can create their own print!). Artists include Angela Casella, Luke Dearlove, Ricki Danuser, Sue Gilford, Kerry Inns, Lisa Kennedy, Rosie Lyons, Ken Roberts, Hilary Skelton and Jennie Teskey. Open 11am to 3pm Thursday to Monday.
Meanwhile at St Thomas in Toora, the Land and Sky exhibition revisits the birds of Corner Inlet and surrounding landscapes. The show is curated by Deborah Read who earlier this year brought 22 artists together for the acclaimed Toora ArtCube exhibition ‘Look Up, Listen’.
For the full program and more information, visit artconnectsouthgippslandinc.com.
