Artist Retreat at Loch

Mid-March saw seven Arts Project Australia (APA) artists embarked on a three-day artist retreat at The Old Hospital in Loch. Nestled in the heart of South Gippsland and surrounded by rolling hills, coastal breezes, and the quiet charm of nearby Grantville and Tooradin, The Old Hospital became the creative haven for APA artists Rosie O’Brien, Lisa Reid, Samantha Ashdown, Georgia Szmerling, William Murray, Christian Hansen, and Oscar Donati.

The retreat began with a hands-on pigment-making workshop led by local painter Lucy Hersey. Lucy guided the artists through the delicate process of making their own pigments, emphasising the importance of gratitude and respect for the land that had provided the raw materials. For many, this was a completely new experience, and for Georgia Szmerling, in particular, this was one she found rewarding, sharing that “Making my own pigments and then using them in my work was my favourite part.”

Armed with their handmade pigments, the artists set out the next day for an En Plein Air painting session at The Gurdies Nature Reserve. Immersed in the landscape, they captured the shifting light and natural beauty in their sketchbooks, each artist interpreting the scenery in their own unique style.

Beyond art making, the group took full advantage of their time in Loch and its surrounds exploring antique stores, wandering along the foreshore, and even stumbling upon abandoned ships. Throughout it all, William Murray took it upon himself to be the unofficial transport coordinator, ensuring that his peers safely boarded and disembarked the APA bus at each stop along the way.

Having The Old Hospital all to themselves made the experience even more special, fostering a sense of camaraderie and creativity – embodying the atmosphere and ethos of the APA studio. Reflecting on the retreat, Lisa Reid summed up her enthusiasm for the time away saying “I’d like to make the retreat go for a week so I can stay longer!”

The residency was not just an opportunity for artistic growth but a chance to slow down, connect with nature and with each other. A big thank you to APA staff artists Suzie Brown, Shell Odgers and Ben Walsh, long-time APA supporter Lyn Young and APA Studio Manager and Chief of BBQs James McDonald, for joining the artists on what we hope to be the first of many artist retreats to come.

The Old Hospital in Loch is located on the lands of the Gunaikurnai and Bunurong People.