Ultima locals will become the stars of the show in Ultima District Uncovered – a photography exhibition at their hall on 17 and 18 November.
Former Swan Hill resident Mick Cullin took the photos during a recent artist in residence project. Mick stayed in Ultima, going to the footy, visiting the pub, playing a round of golf and working with the school’s three students.
The Ultima community made him welcome, and he is looking forward to returning for the exhibition.
About 50 of his photographs will be part of the exhibition.
“The community in Ultima are warm and very committed to the town, dedicated to keeping it going,” Mick told The Weekly Times last week.
“Like a lot of small isolated, rural towns, their population is shrinking, which is a real shame, and to make it worse they’re in the midst of drought. This exhibition is all about bringing the community together.”
The project is an initiative of Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery, with funding from the Regional Arts Fund through Regional Arts Victoria.
Gallery Director Ian Tully encouraged the wider Swan Hill community to visit the exhibition.
“Many of you will know Mick from his days teaching in Swan Hill, and of course there will be plenty of Ultima faces in the exhibition – it will be a real treat for the locals and for those visiting,” he said.
“This project is about giving the people of Ultima something to focus on, to come together to be part of something positive – we hope this photography exhibition will do just that.”
The exhibition will be open at the Ultima Public Hall on Saturday, 17 November from 10am until 5pm, and on Sunday, 18 November from 10am until 3pm.
The Ultima Progress Association will host a launch on the Saturday at 11am.