The Launceston arts scene has farewelled a gallery, which has showcased Tasmanian artists for decades.
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Stillwater Gallery, located in the historic Ritchie’s Mill, will close to make way for short-stay accommodation.
The light and airy gallery space, which looks out over the Tamar River, held regular exhibitions featuring a range of artists.
Gallery curator Ralf Haertel said it was sad to see the gallery space go.
People visited the gallery “in waves” at an informal Sunday afternoon farewell event, Haertel said.
The afternoon drinks gave people in the Launceston arts scene an opportunity to revisit their connection to the space, he said.
However, the Stillwater owners still planned to support the Launceston arts scene in the future.
Bimonthly exhibitions will be held at Stillwater and Black Cow to continue to showcase artists, he said.
He hoped the short-stay accommodation would also be used to highlight artwork from the region, Haertel said.
In the late 1990s, a series of public forums about the Launceston arts scene pushed for a community art space.
With Stillwater Gallery closing, Haertel said it was time to revive the conversation and find a space that would provide artists with an opportunity to display their different projects.
It would need to be accessible and affordable, similar to Moonah Arts Centre in Hobart, he said.
While Launceston had the Queen Victoria Museum and Arts Gallery, it was a formal institution and the community needed a different space for their artwork, Haertel said.
Artist Richard Crabtree, of Turners Marsh, was involved in the final exhibition for the gallery with Anne Engdahl.
He remembered exhibiting work in the gallery space about 20 years ago.
His latest work were vibrant landscape paintings, which captured rich colours and were striking in the light, white gallery space.
“It’s a great little spot,” Crabtree said.
Stillwater Gallery had been an important part of the Launceston art scene, he said.
Haertel said he was pleased the gallery ended with an exhibition, displaying artists who were committed to their craft.
The exhibition will move into the Stillwater restaurant and landing art-space on February 26 until Sunday, March 25.
Stillwater Gallery closes permanently on Monday from about 3pm.
Haertel has put a call out for any information relating to the gallery in a bid to document its history. He can be contacted via email on art@stillwater.net.au
Tess Brunton
I recently returned from across the ditch where I worked at New Zealand Fairfax paper The Timaru Herald and developed a love of mountains. Originally I'm a mainlander from an area known for cheese, the Bega Valley, who also dabbled in radio at ABC RCAFF before finding a place in newspapers. I can often be found hiking, caving or climbing when I'm not cursing at my work computer or technology in general.
I recently returned from across the ditch where I worked at New Zealand Fairfax paper The Timaru Herald and developed a love of mountains. Originally I'm a mainlander from an area known for cheese, the Bega Valley, who also dabbled in radio at ABC RCAFF before finding a place in newspapers. I can often be found hiking, caving or climbing when I'm not cursing at my work computer or technology in general.
