Parks Victoria, Friends of Herring Island and the five groups welcome  your interest in Herring Island. Access to this island in the Yarra  is from Como landing near Williams Road, Toorak. Parks Victoria's punt service will operate throughout the Summer Arts Festival. In the winter you will need your own boat or contact Florence on the Yarra  to gain access to the landing on the Burnley side of the island.  You can contact us by using the email form at the foot of this  page.

The other activity on the island is the result of donations made during the 2007 festival: Ellen José's Tanderrum has been repaired under her instruction. And look out too for the donations box so that we can continue to support the permanent collection on the island. More news about the restoration work and the festival is on our news blog page:  http://hisafnews.blogspot.com/ 

For more information about access and the permanent sculpture collection check Parks Victoria's  Herring Island page.

Robert Lee inspecting  Ellen José's Tanderrum

12^th January to 28^th January

Wildlife Art Society of Australasia [WASA]

Animals, birds and flowers; paintings, drawings, sculptures and linocuts feature in another exciting exhibition from our talented artist members.

Australia Day Weekend 26th to  28th January

Australia Day 2007 hosted a continuous program of arts events and 2008 is planned along similar lines:

During the day artists worked in the courtyard in ceramics, sculpture  and painting.  People of all ages stopped to chat with us as we worked - a relaxed time in a great place.

At 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm there were tours of Herring Island and the permanent collection run by Friends of Herring Island. Intending participants met in front of the gallery before the tour.

We had perfect weather - breaking our reputation as rainmakers - and lots of visitors enjoyed the day and the art.

Herring Island Summer Arts Festival thanks the Australia Day Committee (Victoria) for their support for our Australia Day program.

2^nd February to 17^th February

Association of Sculptors of Victoria [ASV]

opening 12-2pm on 2 February, the exhibition is open from noon to 5 pm each Saturday and Sunday.

An exhibition of smaller sculpture reflective of the environment and the history of Herring Island.

Demonstration events will occur during the show, and the exhibition will be 'sat' by the exhibiting artists - so this will be a great time to see their latest work and talk to them about their inspiration.

Contact: Jenny Rickards 0418 971 897

 23^rd February to 9^th March

Contemporary by Nature: 23 February - 9 March; 

opening 12-2pm on 23 February, the exhibition is open from noon to 5 pm each Saturday and Sunday.

See interpretations of the natural world in painting, photography, works on paper & sculpture, by a wide range of Australian contemporary artists. A range of the exhibiting artists will be present throughout the exhibition, to talk about the works.

Details contact: Cressida Fox 0407 059 194

15^th March to 30^th March

Koorie Heritage Trust

There may be the opportunity to visit the exhibition during the week. Inquiries should be directed to Koorie Heritage Trust exhibition manager, Maree Clarke.

Contact: Maree Clarke
Exhibition Manager
Koorie Heritage Trust Inc -0408 055 641

5^th April to 20^th April

Catch the punt to Herring Island, the only island gallery in Melbourne and experience exciting Sculptural Ceramics. On view will be contemporary ceramic art for house and garden. Hosted by Ceramics Victoria [www.ceramicsvictoria.org.au ] their exhibition "Land & Water II" will wrap up the 2008 Herring Island Summer Arts Festival.

This year the exhibition includes the Ceramic Victoria Biennial Sculptural Award, judged by international artist and art educator, Victoria Howlett.

Meander through the Herring Island gallery and courtyard where established and emerging artists interpret the theme of land and water through the medium of clay.

Artists will be available to discuss their work, ideas and processes with visitors. All artwork will be for sale and a percentage of sales will be donated to the preservation of the permanent sculpture collection on Herring Island, ensuring the future of this rare island art precinct.

Opening 12-2 on Saturday the 5^th of April and continuing 12 to 5pm each weekend until the 20^th of April.

The Herring Island Summer Arts Festival is run with the support of Parks Victoria.