Homelessness Action Now Art Exhibition Brings Lived Experience Stories to Bendigo 

The exhibition featured 73 artworks created by artists from across the Bendigo region, including CCV Homes First clients, individuals currently experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping, people with lived experience of homelessness and people who have supported others experiencing homelessness. To ensure the exhibition reflected a broad range of experiences, organisers opened it to artists beyond the CCV Victoria. Community members and service providers were invited to attend, creating a rare opportunity for artists to share their stories through art, while allowing visitors to engage directly with people whose lives had been touched by homelessness. 

Bringing the Vision to Life

Art can provide people with a way to share experiences and emotions that are often difficult to put into words. For many people experiencing or recovering from homelessness, creative expression offers an opportunity to reflect, process difficult experiences, and connect with others in meaningful ways. 

The idea for the exhibition had been years in the making and was originally envisioned by Jodi, Case Coordinator for the Homes First Program. Through her close work with clients, Jodi witnessed their talent, creativity and resilience firsthand. Recognising the power of art to build confidence and share stories, she was inspired to create an opportunity for people to express themselves and be celebrated for their strengths and talents. However, turning the idea into reality was not without its challenges. Putting together an art exhibition for the first time required persistence, planning and advocacy.

Her commitment was driven by a desire to ensure the exhibition was never just about displaying artwork, but about creating a space where people felt seen, heard and valued, and where the wider community could connect with those rich experiences. Reflecting this vision, the exhibition had no single theme. Instead, it showcased a diverse collection of sculptures, sketches, drawings, paintings, tent installations and audio works that highlighted the individuality and unique perspectives of each artist. Printed stories accompanied many of the artworks, offering visitors a deeper insight into the memories, journeys and lived experiences behind the pieces.

Many artists said after the exhibition that they felt valued and connected to the broader community as a result of participating, rather than feeling judged, they felt respected, appreciated and included.

Jodi explains that: Art provides people with a safe and meaningful way to connect with their community, develop skills, and express themselves by helping them navigate difficult days and process emotions that can be hard to identify or articulate.”

One participant artist described it simply: “Art keeps us alive.” 

More Than an Art Exhibition

The artworks explored themes of resilience, identity, belonging, loss, hope and connection. For many visitors and community members, the artwork became a starting point for conversation, creating opportunities to share personal experiences, reflect on the realities of housing insecurity and transform homelessness from an abstract issue into deeply personal stories. 

 For one artist who had previously been hesitant to share his work publicly, seeing others engage with his artwork helped build confidence and reinforced the value of sharing his story through creativity. Similar moments were experienced by other artists throughout the exhibition, with nine artworks sold during the week. The proceeds from each sale went directly to the artists. For some, the income will make a meaningful difference to their everyday lives, while many also spoke about the pride and encouragement that came from having their work recognised and appreciated by others. 

Looking Ahead

The exhibition attracted significant interest from established Bendigo artists, many of whom have volunteered to mentor participating artists and support their ongoing creative development. As the first event of its kind in the region, the overwhelmingly positive response from artists, visitors and community partners has sparked hopes that it will become an annual event, creating new opportunities for connection, learning and artistic growth. 

 As we reflect on Homelessness Week 2026 and this year’s theme, Homelessness Action Now, the exhibition helped bring homelessness closer to home, reminding us that it is not distant or abstract. Across Bendigo and regional Victoria, people from all walks of life can experience homelessness, including families, young people, older people, women and children escaping violence, and individuals facing poverty, housing stress, trauma, isolation and ill health. 

The exhibition was made possible through the generous support of Agnico Eagle Fosterville Gold Mine, Fitzgerald Rayner Law and Complete Construction and Maintenance. CCV also thanks Bendigo Region Women’s Shed and Mother Bean for providing catering, and curator Lucy Perdon, whose dedication helped bring the exhibition to life. 

 Through creativity, courage and storytelling, the CCV Homelessness Action Now Art Exhibition helped bring these experiences into public view. Most importantly, it reminded all who attended and contributed that behind every experience of homelessness is a person, a story and the possibility of a different future.