A core group of artists from the Maldon Artists’ Network (MANet) has created a gallery in the heart of historic Maldon. Consisting of eight local artists, the group all work using different mediums including; drawing, painting, printmaking, jewellery, sculpture, and woodwork, with each piece of work adding to the romance and joy of the small space.
Catherine Tait, one of the eight involved in the gallery, told the Mail that the local community has been very supportive of them opening the space.
“It’s great for Maldon,” Catherine said.
“It’s lovely to have a vacant shop occupied and it has been well patronised by both tourists and locals.”
The gallery has been set up as a cooperative, where each of the artists display their work and the gallery is run using a rotating roster.
“So when people come in they get to meet one of the artists,” commented Catherine.
“In fact, it’s such a friendly group, you’re likely to meet a few at any one time.”
The Maldon Artists’ Network (auspiced by the Maldon Neighbourhood Centre) began in 2012 when a group of artists began meeting to share their creative ideas and knowledge. Since then the network has continued to grow and flourish to include art walks, a biennial portrait prize, and workshops, and after a successful pop-up shop in 2022, opening a gallery space seemed like the next logical step.
The artwork on display at the MANet Arts Focus Gallery will be rotated monthly, so people can see something new and different each time they visit and there’s talk of regular champagne evenings to celebrate the new collections.
The backroom of the gallery has been earmarked for guest artists to display their work for a period of two weeks by submitting an application to maldonmanet@gmail.com or by phoning 0419 119 047.
All of the artworks are available for purchase, plus a fantastic range of cards promoting Maldon and produced by the artists.
MANet Arts Focus is open Wednesday/Friday from 11am to 4pm and Saturday/Sunday 10am to 4pm at 27 Main Street Maldon.