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SHIFT: A Queer Symposia
January 22 - February 16
Free
SHIFT: A Queer Symposia, is a series of events to create a space for discourse, exchange, & solidarity within the LGBTIQA+ community. Co-designed with the queer community, SHIFT transforms perspectives through art, film, workshops, & panels on diverse queer issues & experiences. Presented by Seventh Gallery, a non-profit space primarily run by volunteers in Richmond.
SHIFT Overall program details:
Dates: events across 22 Jan – 16 Feb
Location: Seventh Gallery, Richmond
Cost: All events are free except film nights which are $5 a ticket (but you get free popcorn!). If financial barriers are an issue, please reachout to Seventh and we will waive the film ticket cost for you.
Some of the events in the program include:
SHIFT: SAPPHIC SEVENTH
Date: Wednesday 22 January – Saturday 1 February (open during Gallery usual hours, 12-6pm Weds to Sat, and during other SHIFT events)
About: A dynamic celebration of sapphic creativity, where literature and art merge into an immersive, one-of-a-kind experience. Sapphic Reading and Writing, a six-week practice-led course inspired by the Women’s Art Register archive, culminates in a chapbook and a sprawling gallery installation—an ephemeral, layered takeover of Seventh, where queer time, memory, and creativity collide.
Cost: FREE
SHIFT: Q-Poetry Open Mic
Date: Friday 31 January, 6.30 – 8.30pm
About: Calling all poets, storytellers, and secret note book writers! Join us for an evening of shared stories, lived experiences, hungers, aches, joys, and verbal filigree. From spoken word artists to page poets, storytellers, and bards; this stage is for all writers to have a moment to share their stories and been seen. Come to listen or come to share.
Cost: FREE, registrations encouraged. Participants/performers will be paid a small honorarium in respect of their work, time and bravery in sharing.
SHIFT: scrappy journal making
Date: Saturday 1 February, 11am – 1pm
About: In this workshop, let’s connect with the ‘scrappy’ parts of life and ourselves through upcycling and recycling. Creativity and expression is for everyone – let’s play! Led by artist Sien – who is a queer, Pasefika, chronically ill maker of things, who enjoys the freedom and possibilities of upcycling and recycling.
Cost: FREE, registrations required
SHIFT: Pride in Empathy
Date: Saturday 8 February, 3 – 4.15pm
About: Empathy is a powerful force for connection, resilience, and change. Join counsellor David Merlo (M.C, BSocSc, PACFA & NDIS) in this interactive workshop to explore empathy through an LGBTQIA+ lens, uncover its challenges, and gain practical tools to foster deeper understanding and compassion —toward others and, most importantly, ourselves.
Cost: FREE, registrations required
SHIFT: Intro to Unfixed Choreographies
Date: Saturday 15 February, 2 – 4pm
About: Texas and Niki invite you to collaboratively contribute to the creation of a choreographed performance through dance – exploring how to interrupt, subvert, and liberate from a set movement score, reflecting the queer experience that embraces ambiguity and rejects rigid definitions. No dance or movement experience required, just an inclination to join ;)
Cost: FREE, registrations required
For full program listings: please check out our website: https://www.seventhgallery.org/content/event-shift-a-queer-symposia
Whilst primarily designed to amplify LGBTQIA+ community, we welcome allies to learn and attend the events as well. If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please contact kenny@seventhgallery.org
SHIFT: A Queer Symposia is supported by the Victorian Government.