Creative Conversations

Please note: Exhibition entry is not included in the ticket price

Discover the stories of the Archibald Prize 2025

Location: Geelong Library & Heritage Centre, Level 5

A dynamic series of conversations with Archibald Prize 2025 artists, sitters, and moderators, at the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre. Explore the stories, ideas and creative processes behind Australia’s most celebrated portrait prize.

Upcoming:

Saturday 20 September, 11.00am to 12.00pm
Power, place and politics

Jonathan Dalton, Archibald Prize 2025 finalist
Mostafa Azimitabar, Archibald Prize 2025 finalist

Facilitator: Dr Vivien Gaston, artist, writer and Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne

Saturday 11 October, 11.00am to 12.00pm
The art of self-portraiture

Sid Pattni, Archibald Prize 2025 finalist
Brittany Jones, Archibald Prize 2025 finalist
Richard Lewer, Archibald Prize 2025 finalist
Vipoo Srivilasa, Archibald Prize 2025 finalist

Facilitator: Katarina Paseta, Geelong Gallery Curator

Saturday 1 November, 11.00am to 12.00pm
The impact of the Archibald Prize

Natasha Bieniek, Archibald Prize 2025 finalist
Mitch Cairns, Archibald Prize 2025 finalist
Yvette Coppersmith, Archibald Prize 2025 finalist

Facilitator: Lisa Sullivan, Geelong Gallery Assistant Director, Curatorial

Saturday 8 November, 11.00am to 12.00pm
Curating the Archibald Prize

Loribelle Spirovski, Archibald Prize 2025 finalist (winner of People’s Choice award in Sydney)

Facilitator: Beatrice Gralton, Senior Curator, Contemporary Australian Art and Brett Whiteley Studio at Art Gallery of New South Wales and curator of Archibald Prize 2025

Presented in partnership with Geelong Regional Libraries

Past dates:

Friday 29 August, 2.00pm to 3.00pm
The winner and sitter

Julie Fragar, Archibald Prize 2025 winner
Justene Williams, sitter and Brisbane artist

Facilitator: Humphrey Clegg, Geelong Gallery Director and CEO

Saturday 6 September, 11.00am to 12.00pm
Blood, sweat and tears

Luke Cornish (aka ELK), Archibald Prize 2025 finalist
Christophe Domergue, Archibald Prize 2025 finalist
Yvonne Weldon, sitter and the first Indigenous councillor to be elected to the City of Sydney

Facilitator: Kiri Tawhai, Creative Facilitator and Well-being Guide