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

A few quick notes...

While the blog has been rather quiet, it would be safe to say that View Point has been a hive of activity lately!

We've welcomed many new and exciting stockists over the last few weeks, stay tuned for stockist spotlights in the coming weeks.

Bendigo was featured in the latest Peppermint Mag, including a mention of us in the shopping section! This issue is available in store (only a handful of copies left, so get in quick to secure yourself one).

We've also been in the local paper: Pleased with the progress by Rosemary Sorensen

We had a stall at the Peppergreen Farm Community Festival and spent the day spreading the View Point word far and wide!

We've been hosting an exhibition by Djonn Cosgriff in the gallery space upstairs, have you checked it out yet? With only a few days left before the exhibition ends, pop in and have a look through our gallery space at some incredible esoteric works by the Visual ENdjinnEER.

And finally we'll be altering our trading hours slightly over the Easter period, with extended trading hours over the Easter Saturday and Sunday.

View Point Handmade Gallery - Hand Drawn Logo

Look at what we just had made, we're so happy with it!!

Exciting things are a-bewin'!

 

After a six month incubation period, the Next On Now Art Blast is almost upon us! Next On Now will culminate in a weekend long arts festival, the Next on Now Art Blast from 24^th to 26^th February. Showcasing seven artists throughout Bendigo in a variety of mediums.

The Art Blast features seven installations with works by artists Leonie Kelsall, Tom Pender, Kelly Robson, Christine Sayer, Katie Sfetkidis, Isobelle Sirianni, Amy Turton and Rick Whateley. You can meet the artists and learn more about their journey at the Next on Now Art Blast launch on Tuesday 7^th February, 5-6:30pm at El Gordo Café, Chancery Lane, Bendigo.

The Art Blast opens on Friday 24^th February from 6pm-8pm upstairs at Viewpoint Handmade Gallery, 13 View Point, Bendigo and runs through Saturday and Sunday. A weekend pass to the Art Blast costs $10 and provides you with a program containing locations map, cultural notes and admission to all installations and performances. Passes are available from the Capital Theatre Box Office at 50 View Street, Bendigo or telephone 03 5434 6100. For more information about Next on Now visit the artists’ blog at www.nextonnow.com. 

 

This will also be the first chance for the public to catch a glimpse of View Point Handmade Gallery's upstairs exhibition and workshop space - don't miss the opportunity to see what Central Victoria has to offer!

Stockist Spotlight - *bespoke* zine

Who are you?

My name is Jess Van Den, and I'm a full-time creative entrepreneur.

What do you make?

I'm the publisher and editor of *bespoke* zine - a magazine made for, and by, the creative and craft community. It's full of inspirational stories, interviews, features, tutorials, recipes, reviews and much more.

When did you get started?

*bespoke* Issue 1 launched in October 2010, and we're now up to Issue 5 (out in early December).

Why do you make your 'thing'?

I started *bespoke* because I decided that I wanted to create something inspirational and tangible for the creative community. I already had a blog, so I didn't want to make an ezine - I wanted to make a paper magazine that you could hold, flick through, and enjoy in a quiet moment with a cup of tea.

Where to next for you? (what direction do you see your work heading in?)

I'd love to see *bespoke*'s readership grow over the next year, to the point where I have to start hiring some more helpers!

View Point Handmade Gallery - Media Release for September

HANDMADE GALLERY OPENS IN ARTS PRECINCT

Victorian artisans on display at new creative space in Bendigo's CBD

September 10, 2011 – Bendigo, VIC – View Point Handmade Gallery opened their doors to the public last Friday and owner Jessica Cola has been blown away by the response. 'We had to open early on Saturday because there were people lined up outside – everyone has been really positive!'

Until the end of September View Point are also hosting 'In The Beginning', a group exhibition featuring works from five Victorian artists. Teresa Glover and Michelle Guest – local textile artists, Nicole Tattersall – Melbourne based artist, Julian Newman – an artist who recently relocated to Bendigo and Timbul Silitonga, originally from North Sumatra who paints with coffee.

View Point is only in the beginning stages, with 300 square metres still undergoing development. Stage two of opening will see a cafe and outdoor acoustic stage join the retail space. The third and final stage will commence with the unveiling of the dedicated artspace, which will find it's home in the beautifully refurbished second story of 13 View Point.

Stage one of View Point Handmade Gallery is open six days a week, with over forty different artists stocking their wares with fresh stock arriving every day and new handmade stockists being launched each month. 

If you would like more information or to schedule an interview please contact Jessica via info@viewpointgallery.com.au