Old Drapery gets arty overhaul

ONE of Elmore’s newest art gallery’s is aiming to inspire creatives in the area.

The Old Drapery Art Gallery, located on 100A Railway Place, is a boutique space opened by artists John Timmins and Cindy Warren just over three months ago.

“The building started off many years ago as an old drapery,” Timmins said. “We decided to adopt that when we opened it as an art gallery, just to keep that old connection with the town and the people that owned it.

“We’re both very fond of art, we’re both quite arty so we decided it was the best place to make a steppingstone for budding artists who just need a platform to show their pieces.”

Timmins and Warren mainly use the space to display their own work, however they’ve noticed how important the gallery is becoming for local artists to connect with each other.

“We’ve had one community exhibition to introduce the gallery and for artists to introduce themselves,” Timmins said. “That was fantastic.

“There’s a lot of talented people around that you wouldn’t have known about otherwise and the feedback we’ve got from everybody that’s come into the space has been really positive and welcoming.”

Warren said she gets a thrill from amateur artists coming in and being inspired by the work on the gallery’s walls.

“The biggest joy we’ve had is seeing people come in and telling us how they used to paint or sculpt or weave and they never have time, and they miss it,” she said.

“Then they leave the gallery so inspired that they want to pick up their brushes or clay again.

“That’s the most inspirational and positive thing for us. It’s just an inspirational place and that’s what we’re trying to achieve.”

The pair are on the lookout for more people to get involved with the Old Drapery Art Gallery. For more information visit theolddrapery.com.