General News
25 April, 2024
Thriving gallery makes it official
A THRIVING membership and a steady stream of visitors has seen the recently formed Terang Artists’ Gallery grow from strength to strength.
The gallery, located at the storefront of The Commercial Hotel on High Street, provides a collective space for member artists from across Corangamite Shire to exhibit their works.
The gallery unofficially opened in late 2023 with a cautious approach to ensuring a permanent space for a coalescence of local artistic talent could become a fixture of the main street.
After enjoying months of success with around two dozen artists joining the collective as members, the group behind the initiative, Terang Artists, was ready to make it official with a celebration opening last Friday evening.
Terang Artists member Jo Kenna said she and fellow members were thrilled with the support from the wider community on the opening night.
“Our official opening was very well attended,” she said.
“We all had some of our smaller works on exhibition on the night which provided real diversity and a lovely range of work.
“We sold quite a few works, which was a wonderful compliment to a vibrant, lovely night.
“The opening was well attended with around 35-40 people in attendance, including Corangamite Shire deputy mayor Laurie Hickey and councillor Ruth Gstrein.”
Mrs Kenna said the community had showed its support for the initiative, both in the form of likeminded creatives seeking membership and general visitation from those across the shire and further afield.
“I think the Terang Artists’ Gallery has been a really welcome addition to the Terang street scape,” she said.
“We have had lots of positive entries from visitors in a book for guests to sign, and we’ve been selling a steady stream of artwork.
“It’s all very welcoming and creating a lovely, creative space.
“We have had so many people stopping in to look for a special gift or memory, lots of greeting cards and jewellery, and of course pottery, photography, and drawings.”
The Terang Artists’ Gallery could not have been a success without the support of its members and the wider community, according to Mrs Kenna.
Member artists regularly rotate manning the gallery, ensuring all enjoy the benefits of full-time exhibition while many hands make light work in day-to-day commitments.
Mrs Kenna thanked Commercial Hotel proprietor Les Cameron for his support.
“I would also like to offer thanks to Fozz (Peter Fotheringham); after he moved to Terang he really got things in motion,” she said.
“He was involved in the Mud Gallery in Hamilton, which functioned similarly to the Terang Artists Gallery, and he always thought it would apply well to Terang.
“Judy Armstrong is an artist who has experience in the management of a gallery in the Mornington Peninsula, so her experience and enthusiasm has been invaluable.
“Doug Pollard also has experience with his own gallery, so he has provided really practical input as well.”
The official opening was capped off with an awards ceremony to celebrate the hard work and dedication of member artists.
Helen Durant won best in show for her abstract work, Peter ‘Fozz’ Fotheringham won most innovative for his colourful print, Margaret Moloney won people’s choice and Judy Armstrong received a high distinction.
Any artists interested in becoming members of the Terang Artists Gallery are invited to visit the gallery during open hours to inquire.