Serigraph still going strong

Neerim South’s Serigraph Gallery has been promoting the local arts for more than 20 years.

From a CBA branch in 1952 to Westpac until 1995, the iconic 50s bank building became the Serigraph Gallery in October 1996.

An exciting and innovative little gallery, the Serigraph exposes the many and varied talents of a number of local and other Gippsland based artists.

The works of resident artists painter Christine Cochran and fine timber furniture maker Keith Graham are feature pieces in the gallery, which also doubles as space for local artists to feature their works.

Keith said the works on display were everchanging with a diverse range of mediums.

“We try for something new every couple of weeks,” he said.

During a visit by the Gazette, the diverse range of mediums on display included pastel work by Marilyn Rodwell, airbrush works from Drouin artist Sue Osborn, innovative jewellery by Kaye Lancashire and textile works bySally Everett.

Sculptures from Lardner’s Janice Hunter, along with ceramic pieces from Arnaud Barraud and Lynne McDowell also featured.

Keith said the ever changing and diverse range of mediums appealed to visitors, with the gallery receiving regular visits from Melburnians.

“It’s unique, it’s different, and because it’s local work they can’t say I’ve seen that in this gallery or I’ve seen this in that gallery,” he said.

“I get excited when artists bring their creative work in, it can make you feel good.”

Christine said 2016 had been a very productive and fulfilling year for the gallery, with 20 artists working to theme of “endangered” for its recent exhibition.

The exhibition followed the biennial Neerim District Community Bank Art Prize - Neerim Bower Acquisition in October, which saw sculptures displayed in various positions held throughout the town with the exhibition attracting a high calibre of work.

The exhibition aims to acquire sculptures for the town, giving travellers another reason to visit the area, and a number of sculptures from the 2016 acquisition remain.

The creative months of October and November were the impetus for the Endangered exhibition, continuing the momentum from the Bower Acquisition. “Exhibitions inspire people,” Christine. “Elisabet (Smedbakken) hadn’t been able to do any work and hasn’t been able to stop since.

“She has four pieces here now, she’s been quite prolific.”

The Serigraph Gallery is open on weekends and most public holidays from 10am until 5pm.

The Gallery will open extra days during the Christmas and New Year period, opening on Christmas eve, Tuesday, December 27, Friday, December 30, New Years eve, New Years day and Monday, January 2.

The Gallery also opens by appointment, phone 5628 1519.

For more information www.serigraphgallery.com. visit the website