A group of artists is using temporary spaces to give local and emerging artists the chance to exhibit their work.
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Tart Artist Run Initiative finished its debut exhibition at Dudley House this week.
It was developed by Mici Boxell, Chelsea Arnott and Kate Tellefson as a way to combat what they feel is a lack of exhibition space in Bendigo.
The lack of space has been exacerbated by the closure of Allan’s Walk and the Viewpoint Gallery.
“We have great galleries in Bendigo but not a lot that represents local artists,” Ms Boxell said.
“It’s hard to run a gallery because there's a lot of overheads and that kind of thing.
“We used to have Allan’s Walk and the View Point gallery but they are both gone now so we are working with council and looking for those temporary spaces.”
The group is considering empty shop fronts and laneways as possible spaces and are hoping to hear from anyone who has a potential space for them to fill.
Their debut exhibition at Dudley House closed last night but it featured work from 13 Bendigo artists.
“We had such an amazing reaction to it and that was the most important thing for us,” Ms Boxell said.
“We have a lot of people, a great diverse group.
“To have that support is incredible because you need it when you’re first starting out.”
Going forward, Tart ARI is hoping to hold three or four exhibitions throughout the year.
They are also hoping to develop and incorporate a number of different artistic groups in Bendigo.
“We have an online community happening so we can send ideas or prompts out to artists on our list and get submissions that way,” Ms Boxell said.
“La Trobe has a fine art, photography and graphic design course – the creative arts – so there’s graduates there every year that we are hoping to keep around Bendigo.
“There are also a few different groups wanting to do things and we are hoping we can work together.”
To find out more about Tart ARI go to www.facebook.com/tart.artistrun
