A studio and gallery run by artists for artists

Description of Venue

• Artist Gallery Space:
The Shearers Arms Gallery is run by a Committee elected by the members. We have a sub-committee to organise our exhibitions and shows. Throughout the year we have several exhibitions which are solely open to our members and students, giving them the opportunity to display and sell their work, a timetable of coming exhibitions is available in the office. And printed in our monthly newsletter.
• When and why the Shearers Gallery was established:
In 1945 Milton Webb, Lois Hyett and Florence Quick came together to form a sketch club. Numbers and interest grew and in 1947 a meeting was held to discuss the formation of an Art Society.
The Society first met at 84 Yarra St Geelong where they shared the grand, three storeys building with the Geelong Association of Music and Art (GAMA). The members, 27 in all, had to toil up the narrow steps, past stored merchandise and masses of maturing cheeses. A printout of the history is available for your information.
• Who owns/runs the gallery, how many artists:
In 1987 the Executive Committee of GAS, after visiting 18 other properties in the Geelong area, decided to purchase the Shearers Arms Hotel at 202 Aberdeen Street. In April 1987 shortly after the purchase, the building was placed on the State Historic Building Register, and in 1988 we became an Incorporated Society, the members own the building but are not allowed to sell it for profit. The gallery is run by the committee of management, elected by the members.
• Prime functions of gallery for artists and community:
As a community-based organisation our aim is to foster and promote the Visual Arts in the Geelong district through voluntary services to the community. Membership means access to a place where artists can enjoy the comradeship of other creative men and women, to provide a forum for cultural, professional and social interaction between artists.
• How is the Gallery funded:
Our main source of funding comes from membership, classes and workshops with a small amount from art sales and donations? Fundraising is of great importance to us for the ongoing maintenance of this heritage listed building.
• Gallery converted from an old hotel and boarding house:
In the early days after the building was purchased most of the renovation was undertaken by the members under the direction of the Historical Buildings Council. The Society was given a $20,000 Bicentennial grant from the Geelong West Council for restoration of the building and landscape of the front garden. The building became known as The Geelong Art Society Visual Arts Centre. We received a grant from Heritage Victoria in 2004 which allowed us to replace the floors and carry out other renovation work in the back part of the gallery as well as redesign the office area. More work is to be done if funding becomes available.
• How various spaces in gallery are used:

We hold several exhibitions throughout the year which are for both members and students and host the Senior’s and Printmaking exhibitions. Our gallery space is also available for hire to artists wishing to hold solo or group exhibitions.

We run a variety of classes for students and groups, covering a wide range of mediums. The classes follow a 9-week term (no casual attendance) and run in line with the school terms. We run classes for both adults and children with highly qualified Tutors.
Classes are open to both member and non-member students

Our studio space is also utilised to run workshops and demonstration days, (mainly on weekends), we have a monthly Limestone Carving workshop and endeavour to lock in other workshops throughout the year covering different disciplines. We run a weekly Portrait Group on Wednesday mornings and an untutored Life Drawing group in the afternoon, these are informal groups and no booking is required, a minimal fee applies to cover cost of the sitter. A Friendship Group meets on Thursday afternoon (gold coin donation to attend), and the Outdoor Painting Group meets on a Tuesday, all are welcome to these untutored groups.

For Gallery or exhibition Bookings:
Sue Robinson: 0499 998 220