UNBOUND ART EXHIBITION 2025

60 View Street Bendigo

In the lead up to Bendigo hosting the exhibition of Mexican artist with disability Frida Kahlo, the UNBOUND Art exhibition and award honours creativity, diversity, and the contributions of artists with disability.

UNBOUND Art Award:  Two major awards will be presented for artwork submitted by artists with disability in the Greater Bendigo region. 1. Emerging artists 25 years and under, and 2. Open artist over 25 years. Hanging artwork showcases originality, freedom in expression and diversity in talent.

VALID Having a Say Conference: The first Having a Say (HaS) Conference was held in Maryborough in 2000. There were almost 190 people involved and it was so popular that the people involved decided to do it again the next year. Since then, the conference has grown with an average of 1000 people participating each year, until COVID came along. HaSconference has always been different. It is a conference for people with disability, not for service providers. People with disability have always helped plan and run the conference. 

Barbara Donovan & Sarah Guifoil Art Competition: The Art Competition has been named in memory of Barbara Donovan. Barbara was a Life Member of VALID and other Geelong organisations. She volunteered at the Having a Say conference for over 10 years and worked for people with disabilities over the last 50 years. Sadly, Barbara’s daughter Sarah Guilfoil passed away in May 2020.  Sarah has won the Art Competition several times. The HaS Art Competition is now named after both Barbara and Sarah. 

The Art Competition is proudly sponsored by the Victorian Senior Practitioner (Department of Families, Fairness & Housing). Under the Disability Act 2006 (Vic) the Victorian Senior Practitioner’s role is to protect people with disability and make sure staff and services provide good quality support. 

A public launch will be held on 10 February at 10:30am at Dudley House. Guest speakers and award nominees will be in attendance. Light refreshments will be provided. 

We would like to thank the following sponsors for their commitment and support in creating an inclusive society and sharing the joy of showcasing the diversity of artists talent.

Emerging Artists Award

• OMARI Bendigo (Major Award) - https://omaribendigo.com.au
• Pride Bendigo (Highly Commended) - https://bendigopridefestival.com.au

Open Artists Award

• One Tree Hill Hotel (Major Award) - https://www.onetreehillhotel.com.au
• Coffee Co. (Highly Commended) - http://coffeecobendigo.com.au

Event support

• Grieve Built (high quality house renovations in Bendigo) - https://www.grievebuilt.com.au
• Shared Direction Consulting - https://shareddirection.com
• City of Greater Bendigo
• Bendigo Arts Inc. - https://bendigoartists.com.au
• CreateA - https://www.gcss.org.au/activities/createability/
• Victoria Senior Practitioner - https://www.dffh.vic.gov.au/victorian-senior-practitioner
• Arts and creative industries advisory committee - https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/community-services/arts-and-creative-industries/creative-industries

... and all other people and organisations that have made this showcase possible.