Persistence, and patience, has finally paid off for the Edward River Art Society Inc.
The local group of artists has this week announced it will open its own gallery in Hardinge St, Deniliquin.
Riverbend Gallery will be established in the building which had housed the privately operated Cottongum Gallery.
It is to open later this month.
The establishment of an ERAS gallery has been a wish list item for the group over many decades, with this week’s announcement the culmination of a consistent renewed campaign since 2016.
ERAS president Louise Graham said Riverbend Gallery is a pilot project.
“We need to see how sustainable it is for us, as a not for profit organisation, to promote creativity, learning and growth in the careers of our local artists, and to inspire passion and appreciation for arts and culture in the public,” she said.
“ERAS hopes it will become a place where our artists can come together and share techniques, ideas and where local and emerging artists are supported.
“We have long awaited the time where our community can explore and experience the visual arts.
“We will encourage artists from various backgrounds and skill levels to participate, fostering a sense of inclusivity and diversity.”
The gallery is to be funded from ERAS cash reserves, earned through its activities and using proceeds from the annual Deniliquin Easter Art Show it runs in conjunction with Deniliquin Rotary.
Mrs Graham said commissions earned on any art sold would feed back into the gallery to cover costs, with other funding streams to be sourced until the venture becomes self-sustainable.
“Our aim is to provide a store front with a curated display, provide opportunities for exhibitions and provide a storeroom to enable us to rotate artworks,” Mrs Graham said.
“We will be working towards keeping the gallery vibrant and engaging, whilst also promoting stored works through online sales.
“We asked our members and the community for a name and came up with Riverbend Gallery – to denote the importance of the river to our town, to our livelihoods and to signify the creative flow for artists.
“Riverbend Gallery will be accepting art for displays on the following qualities: originality, creativity, concept, the cohesiveness of series, quality of work, the mastery of the skill shown, marketability, and personal enjoyment and compatibility with our audience.”
The gallery will be staffed by volunteers, with proposed opening hours being 10am to 3pm Monday to Saturday.
Extended opening hours for long weekends and to coincide with special local events will be considered.