There has been nothing small about the Habits of Horses Project and the Whopping Great Kiln Reveal was no exception!

Requiring a Hiab and truck to lift the ceramic fibre roof, volunteers eagerly awaited the first look at the results of the firing. The two horses stood proudly over the smaller Ganesha sculptures and community horses. One horse had suffered cracking throughout and will be repurposed into a smaller piece, all other sculptures were taken to their new homes to be loved by the creators. The kiln worked beautifully thanks to the hard work of kiln builders Bernard Kerr, Steven McKoy, Lee Woodcock, Jude van der Merwe, Jenny Kerr, Selva Marimuthu and a huge team of helpers.

Midland Junction Arts Centre now hosts the beautiful small horse and larger horse created by Kasirajan Subbaiah.

For those that missed it, this fantastic time-lapse film documents the making of the two 2.2m terracotta horse totems by potter Kasirajan Subbaiah from Tamil Nadu, as part of a residency at Midland Junction Arts Centre for the Habits of Horses project.

Click on the link below to watch the film!

So today is the big day. All horses big and small are tucked in the kiln

Starting at Entopia wines, 61 Memorial Drive, Baskerville from 11.30 today and going through until Saturday evening, the kiln will be firing on all four.

If you would like to come to wish the horses well and marvel at the kiln, please do so! 

The two 2.2m high terracotta horses have arrived at Entopia safely and they are ready to be fired! Fingers crossed the kiln gods are looking over them! Click on the link below to see how we got them there...

Great milestone today with the fully padded roof going smoothly into place; much valued technical advice received from Nathan Bray and some energetic rendering to finish the walls off beautifully.

The plans of mice and men and enthusiastic volunteer kiln builders keep on keeping on.

The weather, actual work commitments and international travel have neatly combined to drive our planned schedule into a delightful blend of chaos and fantasy.

But we’re getting there.

So many people have expressed interest in the progress of the kiln; where and when the two 2.2m high terracotta horses will be fired.

Fantastic team lead by Bernard Kerr, Steve McCoy and Lee Woodcock have been making great progress using bricks donated by Pindan from the old Subiaco Fine China kilns.

Energetic assistance has so far been provided by John Beaton, Sarah Thornton Smith, Selva Marimuthu, Jenny Kerr, Tami Esancy and Jude van der Merwe. 

It’s truly beautiful out at Entopia Wines and our kiln hosts Brian and Heather Hunt are making us all feel most welcome.

Let us know if you owuld like to get involved, info@mundaringartscentre.com.au > 

The West Gallery of the Midland Junction Arts Centre came alive with Vahana, presenting the photographic works by Clare Arni who documented the vibrant Kunde Festival in Tamil Nardu. Clare travelled to Perth from Bangalore India and presented a talk about her work. She spoke about how she documents the lives of marginalised communities in some of the most remote regions of India and the disappearing trades of urban India. Her work has been exhibited at the Essl Museum, Vienna, Austria, Grosvenor Vadehra, London, Bose Pacia and it was a privilege to hear her story and share her works with visitors.

Enjoy this short film of exhibiting artist Clare Arni behind the lens capturing the beauty of the Aiyannar Festival in Chettinad India for her exhibition ‘Vahana: Vehicle of the Gods’ on show at Midland Junction Arts Centre. Clare Arni’s stunning exhibition documents these festivals celebrated in sacred groves on the outskirts of villages in India in early spring and the processes leading up to them including the potters, who inherit the role of priest, making large-scale terracotta horses and other votive offerings.

Filmed by Selvaprakash Lakshmanan

Using the subject matter of the Horse Drawn exhibition as guidance, participants are provided with an easel, paper and charcoal to create imaginative equine forms. 

Our Habits of Horses exhibitions 'Vahana: Vehicle of the Gods' and 'Horse Drawn' have been extended, due to popular demand! You can now see these fantastic exhibitions at Midland Junction Arts Centre right up until 27 October 2017. Visit the shows 10am - 5pm Wed to Fri and see what all the fuss is about! 

Midland Junction Arts Centre (MJAC) came alive with a Cultural Celebration Day on Sunday 10 September. A lively crowd of approximately 400 people joined in the festivities that included free art and craft activities, two exceptional exhibitions, wonderful food provided by the Tamil Association of WA and culminated with Indian dance and the launch of two large-scale terracotta horses created by International artist in residence, Kasirajan Subbaiah from Tamil Nadu, India. If you missed out, or are keen to relive the afternoon, check out all the festivities here! 

Artist Angela Stewart exhibited a series of expressive charcoal drawings exploring man’s relationship with horses during World War I as part of the Horse Drawn exhibition on show in the East Gallery of the Midland Junction Arts Centre. In her workshops on Sunday 10 September participants then had the opportunity to experiment with charcoal and mixed media on paper, working in both traditional and experimental approaches to create new works focusing on the significance of horses and their role in history.  See more from the workshop by clicking on the link below! 

As part of the Cultural Open Day at Midland Junction Arts Centre (MJAC) on Sunday 10 September local potter Lee Woodcock worked alongside International artist in residence Kasirajan Subbaiah from Tamil Nadu, India to offer free ceramics workshops in the newly opened studio. Approximately 35 parents and children from the Tamil Language school created a series of small sculptural horses to add to the display of community pieces created for the Habits of Horses project.

One of the must-see artworks for Habits of Horses is this life-sized horse created by Matt McVeigh in collaboration with Juli Coffin. Find out more about this amazing artwork. 

The Midland Junction Arts Centre opened its doors to a large number of artists and arts organisations for the CAN networking event on Thursday evening, 7 September. Visitors explored the Vahana and Horse Drawn exhibitions, viewed the works in progress by community members and International artist Kasirajan Subbaiah and met the artists in residence whilst touring the venue. Madjitil Moorna choir began the organisation presentations followed by Poppy van Oorde-Grainger as she discussed the Protection film project. Sarah Toohey then led the community presentations with an overview of the Horse Tales project before the group moved onto an informal networking session. It was terrific to see so many new artists from all disciplines sharing their stories thanks to CAN and becoming acquainted with the Midland Junction Arts Centre.

Exhibiting Artist Yuko Takahashi created stunning bronze horse sculptures and has been delighting us with her brass origami herd of Pegasus' as part of the Habits of Horses exhibition at MAC. This exhibition was the first time Yuko had a chance to meet a real horse and - as her work shows - she was smitten with these amazing creatures!

Create a multi-layered mixed media artwork using ink, drafting film and conte crayons. In this conceptual session draw on personal experiences with horses and mood, and watch your style evolve. 

Habits of Horses artist and active local Madeleine Clear dropped in with her sister to view the exhibitions - Madeleine's work for the show being based on the true story of these two ladies in childhood, as recent newcomers to the Mundaring area, following a horse into the bush and getting lost out around the Weir. Obviously, the story had a happy ending and it was so lovely to see them - portrayed in mixed media then - and now. 

Artist and designer Sarah Zel Chescoe has created this interactive Hitching Post to reference the history of Mundaring using images, documents & maps from the Mundaring Hills Historical Society Museum and the Visitors Centre.

Internationally renowned potter Bernard Kerr christened the newly opened ceramics studio at the Midland Junction Arts Centre with a weekend series of workshops exploring the form, movement and people’s cultural relationships with horses.

Meet three of the Horse Drawn exhibiting artists and learn more about their works. 

Wow! We are in awe watching the creation of the huge 2.2m terracotta horse by artist in residence Kasirajan Subbaiah at MJAC as part of Habits of Horses! Kasirajan is one of the remaining potters from Aranthangi, Pudhukottai District, Tamil Nadu, famous for creating these sculptures as part of the Aiyanar Festivals. Open Wed - Fri 10am - 5pm and Sat 10am - 1pm. Looking forward to the unveiling of the completed terracotta horse at the Cultural Celebration 2pm - 4pm on Sun 10 Sep

We have just had a great drop-in workshop with the amazingly talented Katrina Virgona. Visitors joined her for an informal workshop and tried their hand at felting to create a small horse-inspired brooch using horse hair and other animal fibres.

Small groups were invited to visit MJAC to make little ceramic horses with Lee Woodcock using pinch pot and hand-building techniques. Inspired by Indian potter and MJAC artist-in-residence Kasirajan Subbaiah who is creating a 2.2 metre high terracotta horse, the students made their figurines with care and attention to detail.

The Habits of Horses Open Day on 20 August, opened the stable doors to a steady stream of visitors who enjoyed the ‘serious’ and the not so serious artworks on display at the Mundaring Arts Centre and the temporary horse sculptures at Mundaring Sculpture Park.

Lisa Hegarty, Mundaring Arts Centre and Habits of Horses volunteer, wrapped up the success of the Open Day on 20 August saying “The day was buzzing even before the hay barrels hit the ground. Lending to the anticipation were the horse’s whinnies in the dusty arena, the rolling green grass set for hobby horse racing, the live displays and the art. Call it a passion of the heart, call it a love of these great animals, but everyone there was ready to celebrate not only horses, but community too...

The opening of the Vahana: Vehicle of the Gods and Horse Drawn exhibitions yesterday afternoon marked the beginning of a transformation for Midland Junction Arts Centre into a hub for international art collaboration and cultural diversity as part of the Habits of Horses project. Visitors were treated to a fantastic performance of traditional Indian Dance by Ghirija Jayarraj and students from the Tamil Association of WA. Thank you to all of those that joined us in celebration! 

Click on the link below for info on what's happening at MJAC as part of the project and to see more images from the Opening!

A relaxed and community spirited crowd of around 3,000 people flocked to the Perth hills to take part in the Habits of Horses Open Day on Sunday 20 August. Take a look through the photos by clicking on the link below, to get a feel for the day! 

There was no “reining in” the enthusiasm of the Mundaring Men’s Shed members as they put their shed full of equipment to good use, creating artistic objects for the Habits of Horses Project.  

Working alongside artist Sarah Zel Chescoe, the members created two unique hitching posts for the Mundaring community as well as team of hobby horses for the Great Hobby Horse Race held at the Open Day, 20 August in the Mundaring Sculpture Park.

Claire Bailey's "On The Run" sculptures have proved the favourite on social media being snapped a number of times by our followers. Here are some of the creative pictures for you to enjoy!

Check out these amazing stop motion animations created by Moorditj Noongar Community College students and participants from the school holiday workshops as part of Steven Aiton's residence at Midland Junction Arts Centre earlier this year. These animations and many more will be exhibited at Midland Junction Arts Centre as part of the Horse Drawn exhibition from Sunday 27 Aug - Saturday 23 Sep. 

The Katharine Susannah Prichard (KSP) Writers Centre have been busy creating a large story and poetry display featuring horse-themed works from members - fiction and non-fiction - in the shape of a horse. In addition, they have also been collecting oral readings. Click on the link below to listen to some poems collected at KSP's recent Open Day.

The Great Hobby Horse race at the Open Day on Sun 20 August was a galloping success! Hundreds of riders saddled up to take part!

If you missed out, there is still a chance to take part… bring your hobby horse or simply your imagination to the Midland Junction Arts Centre Cultural Open Day between 2pm and 4pm on Sun 10 Sept. Participants can again freestyle over Denise Brown’s amazing hobby horse jumps to be in the running for great prizes.

Congratulations to Rosie who won our Habits of Horses Open Day competition and scored a weekend getaway in Mundaring. It was lovely to meet Rosie and her sister and take them on an exhibition tour. Thanks for coming along and we hope you enjoyed the Open Day!

The crowds descended on MAC’s art activity tent at the Avon Descent Family Day at Lilac Hill. The sun shone and families arrived to make hobby horses with Meagan Quantock and Marie Jacquier using sock heads, old jumper sleeves and cardboard rolls.Parents and children worked together to create their hobby horses, stitching them to create manes and faces full of personality. The children galloped off, delighted with their creations.

Click on the link below to see all the photos of us having fun! 

We’ve partnered with Up The Hill B&B to give one lucky follower a destination experience in Mundaring. Win a night’s accommodation and come to our Habits of Horses Open Day in Mundaring on 20 August 2017!

This incredible prize package includes: beautiful accommodation for two people, a trail walk, cooked breakfast and coffee at A Patch of Country and 10% discount at their gift shop. The lucky winners are then invited to spend the day enjoying the art and free community events at the Habits of Horses Open Day, run by the Mundaring Arts Centre. 

Year 1 to 6 students from Helena College Junior School learned the art of fibre sculpture and made hay horses, complete with machine stitched rosettes and saddles from recycled blankets. With their art teacher Marie Jacquier, the students created their horses and used a hand crank machine to sew saddles and rosettes.

Eastern Hills Year 9 students worked with textiles artist Katrina Virgona to learn the art of feltmaking with the unusual addition of horse hair. Over three weeks the students created neckpieces, small sculptures and brooches incorporating stitch and hanks of horse hair to explore their connection with horses. Their work drew on notions of whimsical, playful talismanic weaponry and adornment.

Under the guidance of Katrina Virgona, a large and enthusiastic group of community members learnt how to make small felted sculptures, jewellery and rosettes, adding horse hair to give their creations a curious quality.

The Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers' Centre will be participating in Habits of Horses with a large story and poetry display at the Centre featuring horse-themed works from members - fiction and non-fiction - in the shape of a horse.

The Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers' Centre is calling for submissions for the community stories project. 

Students from Moorditj Noongar Community College made amazing stop motion animations and zoetropes as part of Steven Aiton's residence at Midland Junction Arts Centre.  Using found objects and scrap materials the Year 4s and 5s photographed their horses in stages and made short films. 

Artist Dan Iley worked with Year 5 and 6 students from Mt Helena Primary School to create a mob of wild brumbies that ran across the walls of Gallery 2 during Habits of Horses. These beautiful horses were created using papier maché, then carefully painted and given fibre manes and tails. 

Louise visited Moorditj Noongar Community College, where Year 4s and 5s took part in the Habits of Horse Project, creating artworks for the Horse Tales exhibition. Over 2 sessions students created sculpture hay horse using binding and wrapping techniques.

In a whirlwind of hay and colourful wool the students created their unique freestanding horses, considered their connections to horses, movement and adding decorations such as felted saddles, manes, tails and stitching with coloured yarn. The huge paddock of horses was an audience favourite with many excited families visiting their creations whilst they were ‘in-stalled’. 

Students from Gidgegannup Primary School made wonderful hay horses in two workshops with artist Louise Snook. Working with a wire armature, the Year 5 and 6 students wrapped hay around the wire and embellished their horses with stitched manes, saddles and bridles. Some horses even had tiny stirrups made from ring pulls!