Five years after it opened, the Arnold Street Gallery will close its familiar red door for the last time.
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Director Susan McMinn, who opened the space in 2016 with Tegan Wheeldon, said personal reasons combined with a desire to focus on her own art practice led to the decision.
"I have had a lot of comments and people say they are upset about it," Ms McMinn said. "It is one of few independent galleries in Bendigo.
"(The decision) took probably six months. I need to get back to focusing on my own art."
The gallery will close on April 5 in order to see out the term one art classes and its planned exhibition that is part of the Bendigo Pride Festival.
The exhibition - The Story Of The Girls - is by Ben Mercer and Tom Pender with a selection of photos by Craig Middleton.
"We have had that in the pipeline and it goes until April 5," Ms McMinn said. "We have also got art classes booked in and wanted to finish up with the students at the end of term.
"My daughter, Natalie, runs secondary and primary school classes and she wants to continue but has to find a space first."
Since opening in 2016 with an exhibition of work by central Victorian artist Belinda Eckerman, Arnold Street has hosted more than 200 events while working with artists, students, musicians, writers, schools, VCE students and collectors.
It has also helped more than 40 local, emerging and established artists including notable creatives such as Brian Dawe and Linda Jackson.
"When we first started in 2016, we just had a computer and a camping table," Ms McMinn said. "It has kind of evolved. We started as a bit of space for ourselves and decided to make it an exhibition space, then we went into teaching.
"It has been a great community space, some students have been there from the beginning and it's been great to have artists like Kane White and Sarah Wallace-Smith coming in.
"Janet Bromley curated an Indigenous art exhibition which was fantastic, Di Turner did a coil-weaving workshop. We've had Brian Dawe, Linda Jackson and Elizabeth Nelson whose work has been significant."
The gallery will close with a literal last hurrah in April.
"There will be a closing drinks events, called The Last Hurrah," Ms McMinn said. "We are hoping that will be within that last exhibition, probably in last week we're open."
In the meantime, the business is for sale with Ms McMinn taking expressions of interest.
"We lease the space but if someone wanted to buy, it would be great to see it continue on," she said. "The landlord is happy to continue to lease the space out.
"It is ideal for a group of people or artists who want to run something collaboratively. It would be a shame for to see it stop.
"If (the business sold) that would be great. If it doesn't get sold, I'll let it close."