East Gippsland Shire Council is proud to present the second and final iteration of The Exchange Place – now taking place in the heart of Bairnsdale Library. More than just a space for reading, the library becomes a place for reflection, connection and creative dialogue.

Over three days – Thursday 24, Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July during library open hours– local artists Alan Solomon, Tracey Solomon and Alfie Green will install new works developed in response to community conversations and collaborative workshops held across the region. Their artworks draw from personal and cultural narratives – particularly First Nations perspectives – and invite audiences to engage with questions of identity, place and belonging in East Gippsland.

The Exchange Place is the culmination of a year-long partnership between East Gippsland Shire Council and RMIT University, supported by Emergency Recovery Victoria. The project has brought together a diverse group of participants including Traditional Custodians, climate and insurance experts, RMIT PhD candidates and Council staff to explore community resilience and environmental change.

Workshops were designed to encourage open dialogue, where participants shared stories, concerns and visions for the future. In turn, the artists have reflected on these discussions and created works that respond to what was shared – offering a voice through artistic expression. By weaving together science, lived experience and creative interpretation, The Exchange Place has become a platform for meaningful exchange.

These new artworks – interactive, immersive and designed to spark thought and dialogue – will soon be on display. Visitors are invited to view them from every angle, take a moment to sit with them, and reflect on what “place” means: how we live in it, how we care for it, and how it shapes who we are.

The Exchange Place is a powerful reminder that art can ask questions of the world around us – and our place within it.

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