painting

Whispers from the Garden | In Partnership with Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens Inc.

May 24 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am Get Tickets Whispers from the Garden – a ticketed immersive performance blending live readings, storytelling, and theatrical atmosphere. Journey through letters and legacy from figures like George Longley and Ferdinard von Mueller, revealing the poetic and powerful language of nature. A celebration of art, history, and the […]

Whispers from the Garden | In Partnership with Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens Inc. Read More »

Embrace the Begonia Festival Workshop | Location now changed

Format A workshop in creating crepe paper begonia flowers with Marianne & Alison Thomson (aka Madam Lovage Florist & Sunshine Plants  popups CBD Ballarat) This workshop is to support families in decorating their homes for the Begonia Festival (March 11-13), our objective is to make posies and bunting together to take home. Attendance To attend

Embrace the Begonia Festival Workshop | Location now changed Read More »

multi-coloured necklaces showcased on manequins

Paper bead-making with Faye Heininger | 27 July – Session 2 of 2 | Now fully booked

Faye Heininger Faye started Lilli Pilli Beads (a paper bead jewellery and accessories company) after moving to Ballarat in September 2019. She has a background in art and started creating art in high school. She has a diploma of Interior Design, a Certificate III in Visual Art and has worked in marketing for almost 30

Paper bead-making with Faye Heininger | 27 July – Session 2 of 2 | Now fully booked Read More »

multi-coloured necklaces showcased on manequins

Paper bead-making with Faye Heininger | 20 July – Session 1 of 2 | Now fully booked

Faye Heininger Faye started Lilli Pilli Beads (a paper bead jewellery and accessories company) after moving to Ballarat in September 2019. She has a background in art and started creating art in high school. She has a diploma of Interior Design, a Certificate III in Visual Art and has worked in marketing for almost 30

Paper bead-making with Faye Heininger | 20 July – Session 1 of 2 | Now fully booked Read More »

water colour still-life painting of seville oranges in orange green and white or light background

Painting with Geoff Roderick | 29 June 22 | Now fully booked

Image: Seville Oranges (detail) | Geoff Roderick A workshop in painting basics. In these sessions Geoff will be using water based artists quality Gouache (poster paint). Geoff sites five reasons for choosing this medium to teach. It is opaque, (unlike watercolour which is transparent) this means freedom of expression as it’s easy to cover any marks

Painting with Geoff Roderick | 29 June 22 | Now fully booked Read More »

water colour still-life painting of seville oranges in orange green and white or light background

Painting with Geoff Roderick | 22 June 22 | Now fully booked

Image: Seville Oranges (detail) | Geoff Roderick A workshop in painting basics. In these sessions Geoff will be using water based artists quality Gouache (poster paint). Geoff sites five reasons for choosing this medium to teach. It is opaque, (unlike watercolour which is transparent) this means freedom of expression as it’s easy to cover any marks

Painting with Geoff Roderick | 22 June 22 | Now fully booked Read More »

water colour still-life painting of seville oranges in orange green and white or light background

Painting with Geoff Roderick | 15 June 22 | Now fully booked

Image: Seville Oranges (detail) | Geoff Roderick A workshop in painting basics. In these sessions Geoff will be using water based artists quality Gouache (poster paint). Geoff sites five reasons for choosing this medium to teach. It is opaque, (unlike watercolour which is transparent) this means freedom of expression as it’s easy to cover any marks

Painting with Geoff Roderick | 15 June 22 | Now fully booked Read More »

water colour still-life painting of seville oranges in orange green and white or light background

Painting with Geoff Roderick | 8 June 22 | Now fully booked

Image: Seville Oranges (detail) | Geoff Roderick A workshop in painting basics. In these sessions Geoff will be using water based artists quality Gouache (poster paint). Geoff sites five reasons for choosing this medium to teach. It is opaque, (unlike watercolour which is transparent) this means freedom of expression as it’s easy to cover any marks

Painting with Geoff Roderick | 8 June 22 | Now fully booked Read More »

BALLART ANZACS: How Ballarat Remembers it’s ANZACS | A Talk with Garry Snowden

BALLARAT ANZACS | Talks Garry Snowden, President, Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour will facilitate a talk on each Thursday of the display: Thursday 7 April, 11am | BALLARAT ANZACS: Stories of Courage Sacrifice & Larrikinism | Garry Snowden Thursday 14 April, 11am | BALLARAT ANZACS: Mining Mud & Medals | Yvon Davis Thursday 21

BALLART ANZACS: How Ballarat Remembers it’s ANZACS | A Talk with Garry Snowden Read More »

Tracey Lee Holmes: A Life Through Sport

Thu 4 September at 6pm

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Tax Deductible 

Your gift will be tax-deductible this financial year if you make it before June 30.

We need
your help.

2024 End of Financial Year Appeal 

Or alternatively go to our Donations web page.

Our Challenge

Like many organisations the BMI faces significant funding challenges. 

We thank you for your support.
The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2025 Calendar

Featuring the BMI Image Collection | Now $20

Devonshire Tea & Fashion Parade

Bubbly on arrival & Featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop | $60

Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Australian Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

18 April to 18 May

Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective

Wed 2-30 April, 5.30pm

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

with Michael Robotham

 Wed 20 August at 6pm

guides dressed in period costum

Australian Heritage Festival

Minerva's Secrets

25 April – Tour 1 at 7.30pm – fully booked
Tour 2 at 9.30pm – still tickets. 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm

with Gail Holmes

 Wed 4 June at 6pm

with Kylie Ladd

 Wed 25 June at 6pm

Ballarat Pride Month

Events at BMI

The Month of June 

Ballarat Winter Festival

Events at BMI

5 July – 27 July 

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing