Baluk Arts is an Aboriginal owned and led community arts centre and gallery, the only one of its kind in the southeast of Victoria. Based in Mount Eliza on Bunurong Country, at the gateway to the Mornington Peninsula, Baluk Arts supports artistic, career, and audience development for its Aboriginal artist members from both the southeast and across Australia. The artworks produced reflect themes of identity in a contemporary cultural context.
Through Baluk Arts, family groups and members of the Stolen Generations have reconnected with their culture and expressed their histories through strong artistic practice, supporting their cultural and creative wellbeing. The organisation promotes artistic excellence, community development, leadership, participation, and engagement through innovative arts practices. Its programs foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal arts.
Baluk is a local Bunurong and Boonwurrung word meaning “many” or “group of people,” reflecting the diversity of the artists and their work.
getting to the gallery
GETTING TO BALUK ARTS
By Public Transport (From Melbourne)
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Train from Melbourne to Frankston:
Catch a metropolitan train from Southern Cross or Flinders Street Station to Frankston Station.
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Bus from Frankston to Mount Eliza:
From Frankston Station, catch the bus 788 towards Portsea and alight at the Mount Eliza Shopping Centre/Mount Eliza Way stop. This stop is approximately a 1-minute walk from Baluk Arts.
For travel information visit: ptv.vic.gov.au
By Car
Baluk Arts is approximately a 70km (1hr) drive from Melbourne CBD.
Travel the M1 (Monash Freeway), Eastlink (M3) and the Mornington Peninsula Freeway (M11).
gallery shop
Gift Shop
The Baluk Arts shop provides a selection of works and items produced by local artists. Its offerings include:
- Paintings, Drawings, Prints & Photography: The shop sells original paintings, drawings, limited edition prints and photographic works. All these items include a Certificate of Authenticity.
- Sculptures: Available sculptural items range from traditional kelp water carriers to puzzles, bookmarks, plates and other sculptural artworks.
- Jewellery: One-of-a-kind, handmade jewellery pieces, each created with cultural significance and designed for both aesthetic appeal and wearability.
- Cultural Items: Cultural artefacts such as clap sticks, boomerangs, didgeridoos (yidaki) and women's healing objects.
- Designware: Products include items such as teatowels, puzzles and notebooks.
- Books & Cards: The shop offers books, catalogues, CDs, and various learning resources developed in collaboration with members and the broader community, with the intent to inform, engage and educate.
All products sold by Baluk Arts are created by local artists, with sales supporting the artists themselves and broader community arts initiatives.
Images:
Main Galleries page: Installation view, Connection to Country exhibition, 2024.
Above: Artist talk with Tiriki Onus, January 2025.
