New public gallery seeks art

THE City of Greater Geelong is seeking expressions of interest from local creatives eager to display their work in the newly unveiled public gallery space in Geelong’s Market Square precinct.

The 24-hour gallery, spanning 12 external display windows along Yarra Street between Malop and Little Malop streets, aims to infuse art into everyday life, promote the region’s artists and designers and create new opportunities for their work to be seen by community members who may not frequent traditional galleries.

At the moment, the works of 12 local creatives are on display at the Yarra Street Window Gallery, including the nature-inspired creations of Elizabeth Van Herwaarden and sculptural costumes designed by Emily Rastas for Back to Back Theatre’s production of Red Healer.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said the Yarra Street Window Gallery was an exciting new platform for artists and curators to display their work to a diverse audience.

“I encourage artists to embrace this opportunity to connect with visitors to the city, workers, tourists and residents outside of normal art gallery hours,” he said.

“We are looking for innovative, engaging and visually striking pieces that will contribute to central Geelong’s culture and vibrancy.”

Both emerging and established creatives based in Greater Geelong, as well as those who have strong ties to the region, are invited to apply to have their work exhibited in the gallery space over the next 12 months.

All forms of visual arts and design will be showcased in the Yarra Street Window Gallery, including First Nations art, painting, sculpture, fashion, lighting design, furniture design, as well as digital media such a films and projections.

There is no cost to artists to exhibit their work and those selected for the gallery will be paid $500 to show their work.

Exhibitions will operate on a three-month rotation, and collectives and curators can apply to exhibit over consecutive windows, with expressions of interest set to close at 9am on Wednesday, July 17.

Councillor and chair of the city’s creativity and culture portfolio, Melissa Cadwell, said the Yarra Street Window Gallery initiative delivered on the city’s Arts and Cultural Strategy by providing access, fostering community engagement and promoting local creativity and identity.

“Our 24-hour window gallery is one of the ways council is making art accessible to everyone, including those with different schedules and lifestyles,” she said.

“The space promotes local talent and creativity and encourages visitors to stay in the city for longer and support small businesses nearby.”

The gallery is intended to support the city’s 30-year vision to be internationally recognised as a clever and creative city-region.

For more information, head to geelong.link/YarraStreetWindowGallery, or email the city’s Arts & Cultural Development team at [email protected]