Final display for creative space

THE clock is ticking for everyone to come and check out the Ballan Arts Space’s final offerings at its current location.

Run by the Wombat Regional Arts Network and Ballan and District Artists Collective, which merged operations earlier this year, the gallery and retail space is currently showcasing its final exhibition at 117B Inglis Street before moving in the new year.

The show, called Through the Looking Glass, launched last month and is displaying works from 15 of the combined groups’ members.

“There’s a lot of people who’ve got pieces with some sort of reflection or a glassy theme to it,” said Miranda Williamson, president of Wombat Regional Arts Network and one of the gallery’s managers.

“We’ve also got our gallery shop opened up with handmade Christmas items from our members to go with that. There’s 15 in the show and there must be 25 members with work in our shop.

“We really fill out the shop at this time of the year, especially last Saturday we had things open with the market on in town and probably had over 250 people in the door.”

Following the exhibition’s end on 22 December, members will relocate their creative hub down the road to 123 Inglis Street, a former real estate building located next to the post office.

“We’ll be moving throughout January and hoping we can stick to our schedule with our pop culture exhibition on 7 February,” Ms Williamson said.

“It’s a cute little building that’ll be a bit smaller than the old one. The yard is a bit of a mess so we’re going to fence that in so we’ll still have our sculpture garden.

“The gallery might be a bit more limited but everything will still be there.”

Before the establishment of the Ballan Arts Space by the Ballan and District Artists Collective two years ago, the group previously held street exhibitions and utilised the local mechanics’ institute.

Ms Williamson said having their own home has given the groups so much more than just exhibiting space.

“We’ve realised there’s so many more artists in the area,” she said.

“By having that home, we’ve had a lot of new members come in; a lot of people who previously never showed their work have been encouraged to show things.

“It’s been great, especially out of COVID, to have this space and for people to network.”

Funds for the non-profit endeavour’s relocation have been sourced through community donations, fundraising efforts, and business sponsorship.

Once settled in, Ms Williamson said the space will operate much the same as before, with opening hours remaining from 10am to 3pm Fridays to Sundays.