Last week Torch staff Susannah (Martu), Tarsha (Kuku Yalanji) and Flick (Ngarrindjeri), along with artist Thelma Beeton (Palawa), connected to female participants currently incarcerated at DPFC prison via live video link, in celebration of International Women’s Day. The in-prison participants enjoyed a tour of The Torch gallery, offices and storeroom followed by everyone sharing their

We have been crunching our 2020 numbers and despite the global pandemic, our team have been able to support more participants, and sell more artworks, than ever before. In 2020, your support has allowed us to be active with 488 participants in and out of Victorian prisons, sell 990 artworks, license artists’ artworks 96 times,

This year marks the 13th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations delivered by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on behalf of the Australian Parliament. Our thoughts are with the Stolen Generations, the men and women in our program and everyone affected by the past government policies of forced child removal and Indigenous assimilation.

We are delighted to announce Nova Peris OAM OLY MAICD as a new Director on The Torch board. Nova has accomplished so much in her life, and the experience she brings to our growing organisation is extraordinary. We are excited and humbled to welcome her to the team. Nova was Australia’s first Aboriginal woman elected

Future Dreaming was an exhibition of artworks created within Victorian prisons during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. It was launched on 29th Oct 2020 and wrapped up at the end of the year. We are so pleased to report that it was an overwhelming success. During this online-only exhibition 117 of 126 artworks’ sold. This included

Today, Chris Austin (Gunditjmara Keerraaywoorrong) had his first official prison visit as The Torch’s Indigenous Program Mentor. After spending over 30 years of his life in and out of prisons, this was a momentous day for both Chris and The Torch! Chris travelled to the prison with Indigenous Arts Officer Tracy Wise to catch up

Caring for Country and for collective wellbeing is something our First Nations have done for over 65,000 years. Building on that strength, and informed by community and artists, LiverWELL have launched a customised Guide that offers multiple tips and current links to support healthy living. The Guide was designed by graphic designer and Torch Indigenous

On behalf of all the men and women in our program, staff and Board we would like to thank you for your incredible support in what has been an extraordinary year. In 2020, your support has allowed us to be active with 600+ participants in and out of Victorian prisons, sell 885 artworks, license artists’ artworks 97 times and

In what has been an extraordinary year, a team of Torch In Community artists has made the impossible, possible. Chris Austin and Ash Thomas, ably supported by Sean Miller started this amazing mural at Yarra Valley Water in July, and through lockdowns and stage 4 restrictions were able to finish it just last week. We

Fulham Correctional Centre in Gippsland has allowed Torch artists to expand their skills by introducing them to traditional Koori burning techniques, resulting in the creation of breathtaking wood-carved tables. This has led to an incredible opportunity with Morwell’s new GovHub building. GovHub developer, Castlerock, contacted The Torch to establish a partnership, allowing our artists to