Sustainable gallery supports the arts

CRESWICK now has a new space for artists to display their talents thanks to an initiative from members of the Creswick Railway Workshops Association.

Opened last month, the venue is called Studio 32 and will function as both a visual arts gallery and retail space for recycled items.

CRWA secretary Judy Henderson sparked the project and said it’s the latest in a long line of efforts from the group aimed at supporting arts in the region.

“The Railway Workshops has always had in its masterplan supporting the arts and community,” she said.

“We restored the railway station and the goods shed as a community arts, trade, and learning space which we’ve been working on since 2010.

“We had some items through Recycle Central [CRWA’s main fundraising outlet] and thought there’s so many nice things there while being mindful of local artists saying there’s no arts space in Creswick.

“We have an arts space with the Railway Workshops but it has to be a multi-use offering so this is our way of providing that permanent space.”

Formerly a Biggin and Scott shop front, and an antique store before that, the space is being used for the CRWA’s project for a six-month trial.

The recycled stock includes items like bric-a-brac, jewellery, and books, much of which has been donated by community members, with the aim of the retail component being to make the gallery a self-sustaining venue.

Ms Henderson said the potential is there to host small creative workshops.

CRWA member Gladys Williams’ upcycled items, many of which are made with spare fashion accessories, cover a central glass table as well as the front counter at the venue’s entrance.

A lifelong creative, the project has given her the opportunity to exhibit for the first time.

“It’s been great to have my work out here,” Williams said. “It’s been a very good response and I’ve sold three brooches so far of my work.

“People have come in and been asking me all sorts of things. One woman saw a brooch and asked how long I’d had the buttons on there for.”

Studio 32 is located at 32 Albert Street at Creswick and is open on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm.