Bowl by Mae Adams SOMETIMES a setback provides an unexpected stimulus and so it proved with Phillip Island’s pop-up exhibitions.
The series was borne out of necessity and on the fly after Creative Victoria rejected the Exhibition Space Phillip Island (ESPI) group’s application for funds to hire an exhibition space over summer.
By this time it was late October with only eight weeks left before the projected opening.
That’s when Phillip island Community and Learning Centre manager Greg Thompson offered ESPI the use of PICAL’s garden room while students were on holiday.
The series was borne out of necessity and on the fly after Creative Victoria rejected the Exhibition Space Phillip Island (ESPI) group’s application for funds to hire an exhibition space over summer.
By this time it was late October with only eight weeks left before the projected opening.
That’s when Phillip island Community and Learning Centre manager Greg Thompson offered ESPI the use of PICAL’s garden room while students were on holiday.
| In many ways the space wasn’t ideal: it’s off the main drag and quite small. But in other ways it proved ideal. As word spread among those in the know, it built up quite a following among residents and visitors. The numbers tell the story: five exhibitions over five weeks, 21 artists and more than 800 visitors. The pop-up gallery was managed and staffed each day by the ESPI committee of five members plus 10 community volunteers. Curator Catherine Robinson said the exhibitions picked up momentum over the series, with more people returning to see each new exhibition. Most of the artists were from Phillip Island, with a few invitations going to other Bass Coast and Melbourne artists. Works included paintings, ceramics, glass work, sculpture and an ongoing display of local Aboriginal art. Takings (sales and donations) amounted to about $12,000 with more than $8000 of that paid to artists. The exhibitions also raised awareness of the lack of a permanent home and the need for a public exhibition space. Of 230 entries in the visitors’ book, 53 stated a wish for a permanent community exhibition space in Cowes. One of the visitors was Cr Michael Whelan, who attended several of the exhibitions. “ESPI came to me some time ago saying they needed somewhere to exhibit on Phillip Island. I challenged them at the time about demonstrating the need and demonstrating their commitment. “They did that splendidly with these pop-ups. They had five exhibitions over five weeks. They’ve shown we’ve got some wonderful artists on Phillip Island. The quality of the work was just sensational. They sold a lot of work, which was great, with the artists getting that sort of feedback. |  Warren Nichols: Western Port, Winter Late Afternoon How was it? “A wonderful exhibition. I have visited 3 different weeks, these artists deserve a permanent space.” “Loved every week. Such superb variety, such talent. We need a permanent space.” “Call it most awesome art gallery ever. Beautiful Ladies, find a way to advertise for Young People” “This space is just the beginning”. “Fantastic idea. We need a permanent space for artists and visitors”. “This looks amazing! ‘Well done’. Just what the Island needs.” “Well done everyone. A great initiative – hope it leads on to something more permanent.” “A refreshing break in the day to see such beautiful art”. “Delightful. Art breathes life into a community.” Visitors’ book |
“They did an excellent job and that’s a credit to PICAL as well, for supporting them.”
Work is under way for another exhibition next summer. Meanwhile ESPI will continue to work to secure a purpose-built, professionally run, contemporary, community exhibition space in Cowes, ideally within the new cultural precinct development.
Work is under way for another exhibition next summer. Meanwhile ESPI will continue to work to secure a purpose-built, professionally run, contemporary, community exhibition space in Cowes, ideally within the new cultural precinct development.