Wildflowers project

In early 2025 we invited artists to submit their interest in creating a permanent installation at Castlemaine Botanical Gardens which will tell the story of the First Ladies of Castlemaine Art Museum. 

Following an EOI process that welcomed submissions up until 24 March 2025, three local artists have been shortlisted to develop concepts for final selection.

Background

Known as the first women of Castlemaine Art Museum, Mary Leviny, Lilian Sheridan, Alice Waterhouse, Winifred Brotherton, Elsie Barlow, Mary Brough Woolley and Mrs. Cox stood in solidarity for better representation of women in art.

They were also instrumental in establishing the town’s first art institute, the Castlemaine Art Gallery and Museum (now known as the Castlemaine Art Museum).

Council is working in partnership with Castlemaine Art Museum and Buda Historic Home and Garden to commission a contemporary art installation, designed to encourage reflection from visitors, and commemorate an important local women’s story. 

The project

Council is investing in commissions which will build the identity, sense of place, pride and attraction of our civic spaces. Council is investing developer contributions to deliver an artwork that will ensure the legacy of a previously invisible group of women is made a permanent feature of the shire. We welcomed applications from artists with a committed arts practice, and who have relevant or transferrable experience delivering permanent public art commissions. Final selection of the successful artist will be announced in coming months.