Groundswell
26 February—18 October 2026
Members of the Methodist Ladies Guild of Fryerstown, Supper Cloth c 1945, embroidery, Castlemaine Historical Museum.
Ruth O'Leary, Femme Maison, 2025, archival inkjet print, courtesy of the artist.
Groundswell
Higgins and Benefactors Galleries February 26 - 18 October 2026
In order to effect change, you need a groundswell, a groundswell of opinion, a surge of emotion, a desire for new thinking. This exhibition celebrates artists who want to build a groundswell for change whether that be environmental, cultural, personal or political.
The exhibition pairs historical objects including embroidery, ceramics and metalwork from the CAM collection with work from contemporary artists. It builds on the CAM exhibition Wildflowers curated by Sarah Frazer and the recent MASC public art commission awarded to Laura Woodward both of which celebrate the woman founders of the Castlemaine Art Museum.
Like the women who worked together to found the gallery, many of the contemporary artists in this exhibition value networks, community connection and participation.
Contemporary local artists include: Arkeria Armstrong, Aunty Kerri Douglas, Melinda Harper, Judith van Heeren , Kate Just, Ruth O'Leary, Anna Read, Anna Schwann and lIka White.