culture

Hawthorn's Arts Venues Launch Emerging Talent With Exhibitions and Markets

Local galleries, studios and markets give platforms to new voices through exhibitions, classes and handmade craft displays.

By Hawthorn Culture Desk · Published 19 July 2026

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A Woman Painting on a Canvas. Stock photo, used for illustration. Photo by AI25.Studio Studio / Pexels

The current major exhibition at Hawthorn is 'Slow Read' at the Town Hall Gallery within the Hawthorn Arts Centre, celebrating the printed page and running until July 25, 2026. This show forms part of the Town Hall Gallery's program of up to six headline exhibitions each year.

Gallery Support for Local Creators

The Town Hall Gallery, established in 2003 and owned by the City of Boroondara, curates exhibitions while supporting local artists and community groups. This approach provides emerging talent with opportunities to present work in a dedicated space inside the Hawthorn Arts Centre. The gallery's focus on the printed page in the current show highlights how traditional formats continue to attract new practitioners exploring text and image.

Studio Access Through Established Groups

The Hawthorn Artist Society, a not-for-profit with over 40 years of history and 150 members, provides affordable studio access, classes and exhibitions for students, amateurs and professionals at 605 Glenferrie Road. These facilities allow emerging artists to develop skills and show work without high overheads, creating a direct route from practice to public display.

Markets and Street Presence for New Makers

The Hawthorn Makers Market operates monthly on the first Sunday of each month from March to December at the Hawthorn Arts Centre, showcasing unique, handmade Australian craft. Commissioned street art appears in historic buildings and the Glenferrie Road shopping precinct, while artisan shops and the Boroondara Arts Shop at the Hawthorn Arts Centre offer additional outlets. These elements together give emerging voices multiple entry points into the local scene.

Visitors can view the 'Slow Read' exhibition at the Town Hall Gallery before its July 25, 2026 close. The Hawthorn Artist Society at 605 Glenferrie Road accepts inquiries about studio access and classes, and the monthly makers market provides a recurring showcase for handmade work. The Boroondara Arts Shop inside the Hawthorn Arts Centre stocks items from local makers year-round.