Spiral Gallery is celebrating throughout January on reaching its 20th anniversary milestone.
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Spiral is a “modern miracle” according to Diana Stewart, defying the trend for small regional galleries to last only a matter of years before folding for one reason or another.
Ms Stewart said she did not know of many galleries in Australia lasting this long and that it was “amazing that such a small area has been able to sustain a gallery for 20 years”. Particularly as the Spiral Gallery is entirely volunteer-run.
The Spiral Gallery Co-operative was established in Bega in January 1997 by Barb Crowden. Early members included Jude Lamb, Tanja Riese and Moira Turnbull.
Over the course of its 20 years, 72 artists of an eclectic mix of styles have been members of the arts co-operative, while hundreds have exhibited on its walls – first above a shop in Carp St and then not long after in its still current home of 47 Church St.
Ms Stewart said countless numbers of people have also participated in art skills workshops hosted by Spiral for the community.
“We’ve had a mix of of established and emerging artists on these walls,” Ms Stewart said.
“It’s always been an interesting mix where new artists can get a go and be taken seriously.”
Spiral Gallery is celebrating its 20th year all this month with a fascinating exhibition opening on Friday, January 13, at 5pm. It will feature works by 57 of the 72 previous and current members of the co-operative.
There will also be an artists’ floor talk, on Tuesday, January 24, at 11am, where Spiral founder Barb Crowden and other members past and present will be in conversation with Andrew Gray from South East Arts.
The community is invited to join the artists for coffee and cake as they discuss their arts practice and highlights of their time in the Spiral co-operative.
Spiral Gallery Co-operative’s 20th anniversary exhibition runs through until February 8. The exhibition will also tour to the The Q Exhibition Space in Queanbeyan from February 28 until March 18.