ABOUT

Walking the Wood 2023 sees the return of vibrant Collingwood’s dynamic Arts & Culture Festival. With the survival post pandemic of our local galleries, artist studios, cafes, live music venues and creative businesses in this lower Johnston Street, Collingwood locale, Walking the Wood aims to celebrate, showcase and share in its new and extensive offering to visitors near and far. Walking the Wood cements Collingwood’s presence in Melbourne’s arts and cultural landscape.

Walking the Wood was a term coined by Shini Pararajasingham (Off the Kerb Gallery) and Belinda Collins (Social Crew) in 2019 when both creatives shared their frustrations about the lack of awareness of the hidden creative gems in the lower part of Johnston Street. Directed by Shini, a collaborative and vibrant arts festival was designed to offer locals and tourists the opportunity to explore and discover to enrichen their arts and culture engagement.

~~ Walking the Wood is a LGBTIQA+-friendly and Transgender Safe Event ~~

EXHIBITION OPENINGS - OFF THE KERB GALLERY & BACKWOODS GALLERY
Walking the Wood kicks off by opening 4 new exhibitions at Off the Kerb gallery on Friday 24th November 6-9pm. Prominent Melbourne-based street artist working in miniature figurines, Tinky will launch her new exhibition, alongside fellow street artist, Manda Lane. Also on show are Ryan Pola’s and Cat Parker’s new collection of works.
Backwoods Gallery will open their annual end of year group show BACKW13DS showcasing their stable of internationally renowned artists and progressive Australian artists.

ARTISTS MARKET - LAMINGTON DRIVE
Over the weekend Saturday 25 November 11am-5pm and Sunday 26 November 11am - 5pm, Lamington Drive gallery will be open to the public, showcasing 10 of Melbourne’s most vibrant creators and makers with a variety of offerings from screen printed t-shirts, ceramic wares, textiles and accessories. Entry is FREE !!

STREET ART TOUR
Two Collingwood exclusive street art tours will be offered as part of Walking the Wood. On Saturday 24 November from 12noon to 2pm a ticketed guided street art tour by Melbourne Street Tours of Collingwood’s dynamic street art and graffiti covered lane-ways, highlighting the Keith Haring mural. You will hear first-hand about who the artists are, the current influences and social issues, technical aspects involved in spray painting, stencil art and paste-ups. 
On Sunday 25 November from 12noon to 2pm the Walking the Wood street art tour around Collingwood’s laneways will culminate at Tinky’s artist talk at Off the Kerb gallery.

ARTIST TALK - OFF THE  KERB GALLERY
At 2pm Sunday 26 November Tinky will bring her satire and humour in her artist talk to visitors. Entry is FREE !!

AFTER PARTY AT NIGHTHAWKS BAR
On Sunday 26 Nov from 4pm till late our neighbourhood bar, Nighthawks will be serving up $9 craft beers beers all night for Walking the Wood after-party. Beers provided by Collingwood’s microbrewery The Mill. Included are IPA, rosè sour on tap & lager. Nighthawks Bar 136 Johnston St Collingwood.
Entry is FREE !!