Over the Winter Solstice weekend, Mallacoota Art Space (MASpace) Gallery welcomed locals and visitors to The Turning, a deeply immersive multimedia experience celebrating creativity, community, reflection, and the return of light at the darkest point of the year.
At the heart of the event was The Turning, a captivating multimedia projection and 8.2 surround sound immersive experience that transformed the gallery into a sensory journey through image, music and environmental sound.
Created by local artist Kristen Rule, the work featured original compositions and visual imagery, complemented by an extraordinary surround sound and nature soundscape designed by Bryce and Marlon Grunden of Sound Environment.
Produced by Vidi Chandra, The Turning brought together artists, poets, musicians, filmmakers, makers and community members in a collaborative celebration of the Winter Solstice.
Together, these elements invited visitors to pause, reflect, and experience the seasonal shift that marks the turning point of winter.
Greeting visitors at the gallery entrance was the beloved Kinder Solstice Snail Lantern, proudly positioned at the MASpace Gallery front door.
Emitting a warm glow and accompanied by the sweet sounds of Yellow The Bracken – a seasonal song inspired by a poem by Frances Hoatson and expanded by Cyndie Bignall – the lantern became a symbol of comfort and hope.
Performed by local kindergarten children and recorded by 3MGB Radio, the song embodied the spirit of the season.
As visitors gathered at the darkest point of the year, the Solstice Snail offered a gentle reminder to slow down, seek connection, and trust that the spiral journey of life will ultimately guide us back into the light.
A major feature of the weekend was the Mallacoota P–12 School Art Projection, showcasing artwork from prep through to grade six, alongside works by year 9/10 art elective students.
The artworks were animated into life by the Mallacoota Amateur Film Collective and projected across the gallery’s darkened walls, creating a vibrant and moving celebration of student creativity.
Year seven/eight students contributed imaginative dream-island maps accompanied by recordings of their original haikus, while the year 9/10 sustainability class shared a video documenting their exploration of knitting and crochet.
Through the project, students reflected on the value of learning sustainable skills in an era of fast, disposable fashion-learning to slow down, step away from screens, connect with others, solve problems and engage in meaningful making.
The sustainability class also contributed to the growing Knit Happens! Winter Solstice Blanket, a collaborative community artwork bringing together contributions from local residents of all ages, as well as a handful of visitors.
Made from knitted and crocheted squares crafted from repurposed, recycled, reused and hand-spun wool, the colourful blanket reflects the creativity and generosity of the community.
Currently on display in the gallery as it receives its final stitching, the project celebrates the beauty of imperfection.
As local artist Kate Jackson demonstrated throughout the process, remarkable things can emerge when we let go of conformity and embrace joyous randomness.
On Saturday, local artist Sarah Holt led a Mariposa Stitch Raffia Workshop, inviting participants to explore the free-flowing, spiralling stitch technique while creating their own beautiful wall hangings.
While MASpace is well known for its vibrant Summer Workshop Program, winter often presents fewer opportunities for creative gathering.
The workshop provided a welcome space for locals and visitors alike to connect, chat, learn new skills, and create together, reinforcing the importance of community throughout the quieter months.
Sunday offered a quieter pace, allowing visitors time to fully experience The Turning before its closing that evening.
The weekend concluded with a moving performance by the Mallacoota Healing Singers, joined by Eva Grunden.
For one hour, the fairy-lit gallery resonated with soulful, heart-opening world music, bringing warmth, reflection and connection into the longest night of the year.
The evening concluded with shared plates and mulled wine, providing an opportunity for the community to gather, celebrate, and toast the turning of the season together.
Through art, music, storytelling, sustainability and community participation, The Turning offered a meaningful Winter Solstice experience that honoured both individual creativity and collective connection.
From the glowing Solstice Snail and animated student artworks to collaborative making and soulful music, the event embodied the enduring message that even in the darkest season, light, warmth and community can be found.
The Turning and Winter Solstice was presented by MASpace Gallery and was supported by Mallacoota Arts Council, 3MGB Radio and Mallacoota Halls and Rec.
