Gifts and galore at Imaginarium store

THE centuries-old Mechanics’ Institute on Sturt Street now houses a colourful sibling in the form of the recently-opened Ballarat Imaginarium.

With bright red walls and black-and-white harlequin tiles, the Imaginarium offers all the whimsy of a Lewis Carroll book come to life.

Founded by artist Melinda Muscat, the store stocks work by many of Ballarat’s creatives, with a wealth of paintings, music, books, and miscellanea to choose from.

“The grand plan of what it was going to look like was like an instant picture in my head when I started planning this six months ago,” Ms Muscat said.

Wanting to provide a tangible and central hub where artists can sell their creations, Ms Muscat sees the store as the logical next step in her career.

“I just figured it’s time to get where people can find you,” she said. “Ballarat hasn’t really got a place where people can come and buy lots of stuff from our local talent.”

With a plethora of items lining the shelves, each piece has a story to tell that makes up the larger picture of Ballarat’s creative side.

“The wooden pens are made by an eight-year-old bloke named Arnie. The soap is made in Sebastopol. The candles are from Miner’s Rest,” Ms Muscat said.

The store soft-launched last week, but a grand opening ceremony has been set for this evening between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

The event will be held both in the store and in the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute library with half-hour rotations of 20 people to adhere to COVID restrictions.

Ms Muscat will be present throughout the event to chat about the many items on offer.

“I’m looking forward to the chance to get to meet more people, and for people getting to come over and have a proper look at the shop and meet the artists involved,” she said.

With a plan to bring even more artists onboard, Ms Muscat said the reception for the shop has already exceeded her expectations.

“I’m glad to say that not even past day two I’ve made the rent. That’s a big relief,” she said. “And everyone comes in and is just amazed by how it all looks.”

The Ballarat Imaginarium is open at on 119A Sturt Street on Tuesdays to Fridays from 10am to 5pm, Saturdays from 10am to 4pm and Sundays from 11am to 3pm.