Making space for artists’ dream

BARKLY Square now has a new resident creative.

With the turn of the new year, artist Tegan Crosbie has moved into the community hub’s creative hub, business outlet, and workshop venue.

The space was previously occupied for similar purposes by artist Kelsie White since May last year, and Crosbie said she’s excited to carry the creative torch.

“I’d always wanted my own space and Kelsie mentioned she was packing up here and I asked if I wanted to take over. It was meant to be,” she said.

“I had run some workshops here when it was Kelsie’s and I’m a teacher at what used to be Ballarat Secondary College so we used to have our staff meetings here.

“So, it’s kind of come full circle. Before this I would mainly work out of my spare bedroom so there’s so much space to spread out here and show people what I do.”

With a soft launch event scheduled for Sunday, 22 January, Crosbie will be on site in what’s now called the Workshoppery on Fridays from 10am to 4pm with the potential for Saturday mornings.

Workshops are set to begin in February with sessions on vase painting, affirmation cards and co.inkydinks earrings available for registration on Crosbie’s website.

Regular watercolour classes will be run on Fridays for the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House following the launch.

Crosbie holds a degree in visual arts from Federation University and made the move to professional art during COVID lockdowns after more than 20 years working as an art teacher.

With much of her week dedicated to teaching, she said she plans to open the Workshoppery up to other creatives during her absence.

“I’ve started putting some feelers out for people to hire the space out for their own workshops as well,” she said.

“It’s creating a hub for lots of different artists, for them to share their practice with others.

“Kelsie and I have quite similar styles. Mine’s a bit bolder and brighter with a focus on retro floral patterns, but I love the space she’s made so I want to keep that feel and continue it.

“Just a bright, happy, warm space which is what she had.”