Analog Art Club Invites Community To Slow Down And Connect Through Art

Ararat Rural City Council is inviting community members to switch off their phones, meet new people, and enjoy a relaxed afternoon of art and conversation at Ararat Gallery TAMA’s 2026 Analog Art Club – Slow Looking in the Gallery session on Saturday 13 June.

Held from 2pm to 3.30pm with tickets at $5 per head, the session will guide participants through the gallery’s current exhibitions using intentional slow looking exercises, conversational prompts, and optional observational drawing. 

The program is suitable for ages 14 and over, and pre‑bookings are appreciated to assist with seating and material preparation.

Hosted by Ararat Gallery TAMA Visual Arts Coordinator, Katy Mitchell, the program is designed as a low‑pressure, phone‑free experience, with no prior art knowledge or drawing skills required, and all materials supplied.

Mayor Cr Bob Sanders said the event was a welcome opportunity for residents to step away from their screens and enjoy a different kind of Saturday afternoon in Ararat. “When you walk into the gallery and put your phone away, you give yourself a rare chance to really look, listen, and talk with the people around you,” Cr Sanders said. “Events like Analog Art Club help us slow the pace a little, enjoy what is on our doorstep, and build those everyday connections that make our community stronger.”

Participants are asked to keep their phones on silent and in their bags or pockets for the duration of the event to support the phone‑free atmosphere.

For more information about the event, or to make a booking, community members are encouraged to visit the Ararat Gallery TAMA website https://www.araratgallerytama.com.au/event/analog-art-club-2026-slow-looking-in-the-gallery/ or visit the Information Centre.

Analog Art Club is a statewide initiative of the Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV) and ArtsHub. 

Installation view ‘Lisa Waup  after ever here’, Ararat Gallery TAMA, March 2026. Photos Fred Kroh