Sneak Peek: Renovations

Here's a little sneak preview of what's been going on behind the scenes at View Point - we've been lightening and brightening the (soon-to-be) cafe seating area and the stairwell to the gallery, stay tuned for the finished product!

Beating those mid-winter blues, Bendigo style!

Oh Bendigo, how I love thee!! 

I have been a super proud citizen of my town recently - there have been pockets of sweetness to add a little light to the mid-winter 'blah'.

Our town has it's very own yarn bombers! Under the cover of night some wonderful locals have been helping the town rug up against the chill - trees and poles now wear scarves,  bicycle racks are now snuggly and the trees are decked out with pom-poms and assorted colourful woolen creations. I took the above snaps of the most recent additions to Bendigo's Hargreaves Mall, but here are some links to some other local delights:

 House of Humble - Post Cosies and the Snuggliest Tree

Bendigo Advertiser - Yarn bombers blanket Bendigo

Bendigo Advertiser - Bombers Knit Hargreaves Mall

It seems to have had a massively popular response, I posted the photo above to our facebook page to thank the anonymous yarn-bombers for brightening up the place and our fans have been very vocal about how fantastic they think it is. I have to agree, it has added warmth and run to a space that (since refurbishment) has been criticized for being a bit of a 'concrete jungle'.

I spotted these most recent yarn bombs Tuesday morning, on my walk to work, only to be greeted by this adorable welcome when I arrived. Thank you to whoever was responsible for the phantom flower delivery - it was the perfect way to start my morning!

 

These two moments have given me a much needed boost this winter! Perking me up by filling mundane daily events with joy - I still can't help but smile each time I look at either of these images.

Yarn Bombers and Phantom Flower Deliver-er, I salute you!

Pop-up Shop-portunity!

View Point Handmade Gallery are now accepting submissions from handmade/independent businesses interested in running short-term pop-up shops in the upstairs gallery space. We're looking for fun, innovative and fresh pop-up ideas - the more creative the better!

contact info@viewpointgallery.com.au for more details or to express your interest.

Limited Nov-Dec 2012 bookings are available, a fantastic opportunity to build some buzz over the Christmas period!

Huge Birthday Exhibition - Artist Call Out!

“Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.”

CALL FOR ARTISTS

It's our first birthday! To celebrate this auspicious occasion View Point Handmade Gallery will be hosting a group show, based around the theme of 'time' – works in all mediums will be considered, please contact us if you have any queries regarding your submission.

Opening night will see the gallery transformed into a surreal birthday party, complete with cake and festivities - Come along and help celebrate one year of business and wish the gallery a Happy Birthday!

All artists are invited to participate, so if you'd like to be a part of this great show, email info@viewpointgallery.com.au with a URL or 1-3 lo-res images of your previous works, plus a little bit about yourself, and any other exhibitions you've been in(if any). Spaces are limited, successful applicants will be notified. A $10 fee will be payable for each selected piece ($5 for each additional piece, in the case of multiple submissions) and 25% commission will be taken on all works sold.

IMPORTANT DATESAugust 5^th 2012 - Last date for expressions of interest
September 4^th 2012 - All works to be delivered to gallery ready for hanging or display.
September 7^th 2012 - Opening Night
September 20^th 2012 - Last day of exhibition. Work to be collected within 7 days of exhibition closing.

Latest exhibition details - Co.Lab 2012: Words & Art

Media Release for Co.lab project.

James WF Roberts

It's not often that writers get to their hang their work in a gallery, next to a work of art. It's not very often that the individual act of reading and appreciating the printed word, is done communally. And it is not often these days that artists and writers come together to create work based on each other's own vision. But this is what's going on in Bendigo at the moment. The Co.lab project, brought together by Hugh Waller, of Bendarts, and Jessica Cola, of View Point Handmade Gallery, is one of the most remarkable exhibitions going around. The artists and writers either responded to each other's work, worked together on a new project or used existing pieces to create something new.

To coincide with the exhibition a catalogue of the works has been produced in the form of a book - a first of it's kind, this anthology will serve to showcase the amazing works produced long after the exhibition ends. The book can be pre-ordered online via the co.lab website (www.colab.bendarts.org) or at View Point Handmade Gallery. Proceeds from book sales go back to the writers and the artists.

Jessica Cola, from View Point Handmade Gallery, states on the official site; “This exhibition has been an exercise in collaboration from the very beginning. Hugh Waller, founder of Bend Arts and one of the participating artists, approached us here at View Point with the idea of running a show to coincide with the inaugural Bendigo Writers Festival. Many coffees and brainstorming sessions later, we had thrashed out the idea of a collaborative exhibition, bringing writers and visual artists together to create a dialogue between words and art. The collaborative process has taken on a life of it's own within the individual pairings – with some groups choosing to create entirely new pieces, revamp past works or team up for the entire creative process, both written and visual.”

The book launch and exhibition coincides with inaugural Bendigo Writer's Festival in August this year. The exhibition opening will be held at View Point Handmade Gallery, 13 View Point Bendigo, on Friday the 3^rd of August from 7pm – 9pm to which the public are welcome to attend. The exhibition runs from Saturday, August 4th to Friday, August 31^st.

As a participating writer in this project, I can tell you that level of professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm coming from Hugh and Jessica, and pouring down to the rest of us, is like nothing I have ever seen before.

Book specifications: gloss soft cover, satin pages, size: 25 x 20cm it has 58 pages. Price $50.00

So do yourself a favour if you are anywhere near View Point Handmade Gallery in August, drop in and have a look and see the level of artistry that Bendigo has at present.

For further information contact:

Hugh Waller, info@bendarts.org 
Jessica Cola, info@viewpointgallery.com.au

co.lab exhibition

co.lab - order book here! 

facebook event - RSVP here 

“This exhibition has been an exercise in collaboration from the very beginning. Hugh Waller, founder of Bend Arts and one of the participating artists, approached us here at View Point with the idea of running a show to coincide with the inaugural Bendigo Writers Festival. Many coffees and brainstorming sessions later, we had thrashed out the idea of a collaborative exhibition, bringing writers and visual artists together to create a dialogue between words and art. The collaborative process has taken on a life of it's own within the individual pairings – with some groups choosing to create entirely new pieces, revamp past works or team up for the entire creative process, both written and visual.” - Jessica Cola, View Point Handmade Gallery

The exhibition and book launch coincides with the inaugural Bendigo Writer's Festival in August this year. The exhibition opening will be held at View Point Handmade Gallery, 13 View Point Bendigo, on Friday the 3rd of August from 7pm – 9pm to which the public are welcome to attend. The exhibition runs from Saturday, August 4th to Friday, August 31st.

Featuring the collaborative work of:
R.I. Sutton & Kain White
Mary Pomfret & Sharon Greenaway
Debbie Lee & Fiona Smith
Shane Day & Tony Day
Tru Dowling & Sharon Greenaway
Bridget Robertson & Julian Newman
Janet Fraser & Dominicka Baldwin
Terri Mackay & Phil Ahearn
Christine Sayer
James W.F. Roberts & Hugh Waller
Daniel Lidgett & Elise Lidgett
Mary Pomfrett & Genevieve Thornton
Kelly Hartland & Phil Ahearn
Susan McMinn & Teegan Wheeldon
Paul Donaldson & Jubly-Umph
Tru Dowling & Sandra Hosking
Vicki McKay and Robbie Buckman


To coincide with the exhibition a catalogue of the works has been produced in the form of a book - a first of it's kind, this anthology will serve to showcase the amazing works produced long after the exhibition ends. The book features the work of each participant in the exhibition, each page being devoted to a single work. Also included is a brief statement from participating Writers and Artists.

Shares of profits from book sales go to the exhibiters so by purchasing the book you not only get a quality book showing the work of local Writers and Artists you also support and encourage them all.

The book can be pre-ordered online via the co.lab website (www.colab.bendarts.org) or at View Point Handmade Gallery.

 

co.lab - pre-order the book here!