Expressions of interest open for Wildflowers public art installation

Published on 04 March 2025

Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting artists to express their interest in an upcoming public art opportunity.

Wildflowers, the permanent, public art installation, will be located at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens and tell the story of the seven women who founded Castlemaine Art Museum.

The women, known as the First Ladies of Castlemaine Art Museum, established the organisation in 1913. The group was comprised of Mary Leviny, Lilian Sheridan, Alice Waterhouse, Winifred Brotherton, Elsie Barlow, Mary Brough Woolley and Mrs. Cox.

Council is working on the Wildflowers project in partnership with Castlemaine Art Museum and Buda Historic Home and Garden.

The aim of the project is to commission an installation that will reflect and celebrate the foundational role of women in establishing a cultural life in a gold mining town.

Council’s Mayor, Cr Rosie Annear, said that Council is proud to support this exciting project.

“Women and their achievements are so often left out of history books,” said Mayor Annear, “particularly in regional areas.”

“Wildflowers will tell the story of the women who founded Castlemaine Art Museum.

“It will celebrate their work, which highlighted the importance of collecting contemporary Australian art as well as the representation of women artists.

“Wildflowers will be a permanent feature at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens, and a place for us to reflect and remember these important women.”

Council strongly encourages women and female-identifying artists to apply for this commission.

The Wildflowers project is part of a range of actions Council is undertaking in its commitment to supporting public art across the shire.

Other recent activities to support this include the commissioning of a mural at Norwood Hill playground and local artworks on Shire waste trucks as well as the ‘Behind the scenes of public art’ community forum.

Expressions of interest

Visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Wildflowers-EOI to read the artist brief and submit an expression of interest form.

Expressions of interest applications close on Monday 24 March at 2.00pm.

All applicants will be notified of an outcome by Monday 31 March.

Timeline

Expressions of interest deadline
Monday 24 March, March 2.00pm

All applicants contacted with results
By Monday 31 March 2025

Shortlisted artists concept deadline
Wednesday 30 April 2025

Artist/team publicly announced
Before Wednesday 30 July

Community engagement and artwork design
August to September 2025

Heritage approvals
September to December 2025

Fabrication
December 2025 to April 2026

Launch
April 2026

More information

For more information, FAQs and application guidelines see here: www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Wildflowers-EOI.

Image of Elsie Barlow at her solo show at the Castlemaine Mechanics Institute Library in 1912. Image credit: Adolphus Verey care of the Adolphus Verey Photographic Collection.