CRESWICK now has a new space for artists to display their talents thanks to an initiative from members of the Creswick Railway Workshops Association. <\/p>\n
Opened last month, the venue is called Studio 32 and will function as both a visual arts gallery and retail space for recycled items.<\/p>\n
CRWA secretary Judy Henderson sparked the project and said it\u2019s the latest in a long line of efforts from the group aimed at supporting arts in the region. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe Railway Workshops has always had in its masterplan supporting the arts and community,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe restored the railway station and the goods shed as a community arts, trade, and learning space which we\u2019ve been working on since 2010.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had some items through Recycle Central [CRWA\u2019s main fundraising outlet] and thought there\u2019s so many nice things there while being mindful of local artists saying there\u2019s no arts space in Creswick.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Formerly a Biggin and Scott shop front, and an antique store before that, the space is being used for the CRWA\u2019s project for a six-month trial. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Ms Henderson said the potential is there to host small creative workshops. <\/p>\n
CRWA member Gladys Williams\u2019 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\u2019s entrance. <\/p>\n
A lifelong creative, the project has given her the opportunity to exhibit for the first time. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been great to have my work out here,\u201d Williams said. \u201cIt\u2019s been a very good response and I\u2019ve sold three brooches so far of my work.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople have come in and been asking me all sorts of things. One woman saw a brooch and asked how long I\u2019d had the buttons on there for.\u201d<\/p>\n
Studio 32 is located at 32 Albert Street at Creswick and is open on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n