New lease on life: Art on Albert renews

CRESWICK’S new not-for profit art gallery, Art on Albert, has proven sufficiently successful after its first six months of operation to now renew its lease for another six.

Situated in the town’s main street, the gallery is volunteer-run, providing a showcase for local artists from throughout the district to display and sell their work.

President of the gallery committee Julie Reed said that in its first six months of operation the little gallery sold more than $17,000 worth of original artworks, justifying the lease extension.

“I think for a little not-for-profit gallery like this, it’s a pretty good achievement,” she said.

“We’re a not for profit organisation so we can keep the cost minimal for the artists to be able to exhibit.”

Exhibiting artists help run the gallery by staffing the shop for six hours a month for the duration of their exhibition with artists able to elect to show their work in one or two month blocks.

“Artists contact us with an expression of interest and we’ll then have a look at their work,” Ms Reed said.

“It’s a really good space and we’ll usually have 11 to 15 artists exhibiting work at any time.

“I just think its important for the artists in the community to have a space that’s light and bright where they can exhibit. There are a lot of people who are really talented but who may not otherwise have the confidence to exhibit.”

Currently exhibiting some of her hand crafted botanical linocut prints, Ballarat artist Maree Povey said the gallery is providing more than a means of showcasing and selling original work for her.

“I just love coming here and meeting other artists,” she said.

“I appreciate being able to meet creative people who are doing other things, just soaking it all up and feeling inspired.

“I really love that it’s a not for profit community group. They’re amazing these women that have set this up.”

Woodwork, textiles, paintings and prints are among the current original works on display with the committee planning a Christmas soiree event for everyone who has been involved in the gallery’s journey to date.

The Art on Albert aim is to “provide a permanent exhibition space to encourage and promote local artisans to exhibit and sell their works.”

“We’re hoping that if we can keep it going as we have been that we can go for another 12 month lease after this,” Ms Reed said.