Art on the line: Liminal Gallery fights to keep the lights on

GEELONG’S Liminal Gallery is fighting for survival, but it’s not fighting alone.

The small, independent arts space needs to raise around $20,000 to cover its rent and insurance costs in the next month or it is at risk of being locked out of its Ryrie Street home.

Gallery owner Corey Notaristefano said a “slow winter” and dwindling discretionary spending had taken a toll on the business, which works to support up-and-coming artists and provide them a platform to showcase their work.

“Obviously that’s hitting artists the hardest,” he said. “We have done our best over the last few months to make sure artists are paid first — what they’re owed — and that put a strain on being able to cut our rent and other overheads.”

Notaristefano, who runs Liminal alongside his wife Harriet, works full-time around his hours in the gallery to support the family. The money raised in the gallery, typically stays in the gallery.

“We don’t support ourselves on the gallery,” he said. “It’s a big commitment, it’s a big sacrifice, but we love what we do. We love the arts community, and we want to see the art community in Geelong flourish.”

Behind the scenes, his wife and gallery co-owner Harriet has been battling with health issues and the loss of a baby.

In response to the gallery’s struggles, artists from across the region have stepped in to help. In what Notaristefano describes as “one last push”, Liminal will now host a raffle next weekend in a bid to raise some of the funds it needs to keep the lights on.

“Our arts community has rallied behind us, which we’re really grateful for. We were almost ready to pull in the towel.

“We keep getting told that [Liminal’s] a pivotal part of the Geelong arts scene, and what we do is important. So, we really want to be able to continue that and be able to grow.”

Internationally renowned Geelong artist Rone is among the artists who have thrown their support behind the gallery, donating works to the raffle, while creative workshops will also be up for grabs.

Notaristefano said entries to Liminal’s coming 9×5 exhibition, inspired by the Australian Impressionists from the late-1800s, remain open, and discounted studio spaces are available for hire.

Each time the community takes up these opportunities, he said, it supports the gallery’s ability to stay afloat.

The raffle will be held at Liminal Gallery on October 25 between 12 noon and 2pm.

For more information, to donate work or to purchase a raffle ticket, head to liminalgalleyandlab.com/save