Community
22 November, 2024
Peacock Hall hosts open studio
RESIDENTS and visitors were able to enjoy a pop of natural colour, sparkling conversation and a variety of unique artworks at Peacock Hall last weekend.
Four artists – Merrian Dennis, Dannie Dupleix, Monique Pope and Carol Eagle – opened up their workspace to the public, with Ms Eagle’s garden also opened up for visitors to enjoy.
Those touring the garden and studio also took the opportunity to have a chat with the artists and find out more about their works and their creative processes.
Ms Eagle said visitors had travelled from areas such as Queenscliff and Warrnambool to visit Peacock Hall.
“I’d say I wouldn’t be too far out the ball park in saying 200 people,” she said.
“It just got so busy sometimes – I’d be in the garden or somewhere, and a lot of people went through.
“There were stages where the hall was actually quite full.
“Considering the weather wasn’t the best, we were very happy with it.”
Amongst the works on display were sculptures, various quilts, handmade paintbrushes and ink works.
Some works on show in the garden, such as Sic Vita (Such is Life) and Secrets, had been previously displayed at exhibitions such as CrossXpollinatioN in Colac.
Ms Eagle said the group had previously run the open studio alongside the Colac and Otways Arts Trail but found it difficult to have works at both events at the same time.
“It makes it pretty busy because we also put work into events they’ve got in April, so we’ll probably stick with the November opening for our studio because we’re all busy doing other things too,” she said.
“It’s a nice time slot because it’s before Christmas and the weather is generally good.
“I think we’ll continue to run each year.”
Comments from attendees were also very positive.
“It was really good because a lot of people appreciated seeing different artwork,” Ms Eagle said.
“Most of them were so full of compliments it was a bit embarrassing.
“We really appreciate that because we all do different things – there was always something that someone was interested in.
“It was really nice for the area, and it would be good to have more acknowledgement of the benefits of having art in the community – whether it be singing, writing, painting, whatever.
“That is just so important for the health of a community.”