Art for all
From contemporary exhibitions to online sales to ‘mud chucking’, the Inverell Art Gallery is open to everyone.
They began meeting in a backyard shed, and now they run an Art Gallery in one of Inverell’s grandest historical buildings; The Inverell Art Society has been determined to support regional arts since the early 1960s. The result of their dedication is a vibrant and resilient hub for the arts, a welcoming and inclusive space that is run almost entirely by a passionate team of volunteers. Jane Peterkin, now the Gallery Manager, was once one of them, and she stresses their importance to the running of the space.
“We are a little bit different because we are a community gallery. We are at the front desk, hanging and changing the exhibitions. A lot of the day-to-day operations are carried out by volunteers.”
Located in an impressive building that is over 100 years old in Inverell’s cultural precinct, the Inverell Art Gallery has a history of many local council business operations before it was an Art Gallery. The building consists of the School of Arts where workshops and weekly classes are held, and Butler Hall which is used as the collective retail store and exhibition space. Also a pottery studio that home a group of enthusiastic makers known as the ‘Mud Chuckers’.
“The Art Society started with a group of pottery ladies using the shed at the side of the gallery,” Jane explains.
“That was 60-odd years ago, and it has grown from there. When I began as the manager there were only about six members who visited less frequently, then over COVID there was a bit of a resurgence in interest for pottery, and now we've got close to 40 members. We have a wonderful volunteer tutor who donates her time and energy to guide beginners, then mud chucker members find their own path as to whatever techniques they want to practice.”
As well as an important centre for social connection and community arts, the Inverell Art Gallery hosts an impressive annual program of exhibitions and art prizes, providing valuable opportunities for regional artists to exhibit and sell their work. The Gallery’s Contemporary Exhibition, held annually in May, started as an initiative of local artists wanting to organise a group show, is now an important point of reference for contemporary art in regional Australia. Jane attributes this success to the president of the Art Society and curator Christina Smith, and her ability to identify emerging artists nationwide.
“Christina has a great eye for scouting out these artists before they get taken up by larger organisations and go on to something bigger. We try to incorporate local artists, as well non-regional artist. We have approximately six artists that exhibit, with 6-8 bodies of their work, including ceramic artists as well.”
Aside from this contemporary exhibition, the gallery also hosts the Inverell Art Prize and Photography Prize throughout the year. With prizes for the Inverell Art Prize of over twelve thousand dollars, the volunteers from the Inverell Art Society and the Inverell Art Gallery are an impressive example of how grassroots community initiatives can create a thriving artistic hub in the regions. The secret is enthusiasm and inclusivity, and the unique combination of exhibition spaces and their makers, who create a hub of expression and connection, with doors open to all… even mud chuckers!
Take note…
The building might be very old, but the gallery is keeping with the times. This year the website is expanding to offer online sales – an upgrade which has not come without its challenges. But if you ask Gallery Manager Jane Peterkin, it will be all worth it for the increased sales opportunities for artists.
