Gateway to Local Art at Studio One Noosa
The dynamic duo dedicated to hanging local art on every wall are taking things up a notch with the opening of a dedicated gallery, workshop and exhibition space in one of Noosa’s most creative precincts, as Deb Caruso discovers.
Inspired by the popularity of and reaction to initiatives such as Noosa Open Studios, artist Juanita Van Den Bergh and partner Richard Donelly set out to make her art more accessible to a global market through an online platform where people could discover and purchase her work without the limitations of timezones or geographic locations.
“The response was immediate with orders coming in, and we recognised there was a greater need to be fulfilled for artists and art lovers,” Juanita said. “We realised there was a gap in the market for an ongoing collective hub where local art and artists can be accessible 24/7.”
That realisation has led to Juanita and Richard establishing Studio One Noosa, an on-demand website with an exclusive library of original artworks and limited edition prints that can be ordered online from a wide range of local artists.
“Hanging local art on every wall in Noosa and beyond is our overall mission, and so we make it easy for the art to be discovered, to order prints or originals, or to get in touch with an artist to commission a unique piece of art.”
In their ongoing quest to promote local art, Studio One Noosa have recently opened a physical gallery showcasing work created by leading local artists in a warehouse backing onto bushland at the end of Gateway Drive, Noosaville.
“It’s the perfect location, with other artists nearby including Julia Carter and Fried Mudd and Jo Cook– and then there are businesses like Noosa Chocolate Factory and Land & Sea Brewery bringing a local flavour,” Richard said.
While this dynamic duo have only just settled into the combined exhibition, workshop, printery and residential space, they have big plans to create a destination for locals and tourists hungry for local art to feast on original works by some of the region’s most well-known and rising stars.
“We’re still playing with the best way to present the artworks in the space, however, since we’ve opened, we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the response,” Richard said.
With the rise in understanding and support of movements such as Slow Food, Slow Fashion and Slow Travel, it’s only a matter of time before art becomes the next industry to benefit from a raised awareness of the benefits of supporting and seeking local creations over mass-produced alternatives.
‘Slow Art’ encourages us to look at art for a little longer, in the hope that we not only see more, but also get to know the works in greater detail. It can also be about connecting with local artists to develop a better understanding of the place in which a certain piece was created.
While the world catches up, Studio One Noosa is already leading the way.
“If you have art in your workspace or house, take a good look at whether it is handmade or mass-produced,” Juanita says. “Can you feel the emotion that was poured into the original piece; can you get a sense of the inspiration and passion behind every brushstroke or element?
“If not, you are missing out on the opportunity to create a real connection with something magical.”
The best thing about Studio One Noosa’s model is its accessibility – not just in the ‘always on’ nature of the internet, but also its affordability.
“It’s important to us and the artists we represent that budget restraints don’t prevent people from supporting their work,” Richard said. “People can start with a relatively conservative budget by ordering an unframed print and then work their way up to originals, or work with us as a gateway to engaging artists for private commissions.
“We want people to access art and also to understand the investment value as well as the richness it brings to our lives and living spaces.
“We are all about working for and with local artists to get local art hanging on every wall.”
The demand from artists eager to be part of the Studio One program that includes marketing, online ordering and delivery, and now, gallery space, has been strong.
“We’re probably doing two interviews a week with artists who are wanting to be part of the community we’re building, so that’s great,” Richard said. “Our focus is also on getting people through the door, ordering online and engaging with local art.”
Richard and Juanita encourage the artists they represent to promote themselves as much as they can and to take every opportunity to show their art, knowing that people can then find them and order prints or originals from the Studio One website.
“It needs to be a partnership where we are all working together to promote the local art story and provide a solid representation of the area the art is created in,” he says.
We work with interior designers to source specific pieces that complement the colour palette they are seeking as well as providing a connection to place and we have customers who are art collectors seeking original works or commissions – so we cater to all levels.”
The gallery space can host intimate workshops, including the Colour Chemistry Sip & Pour workshop, where Juanita guides participants through the process of creating a fluid art piece by pouring free-flow acrylic.
“We want people to experiment with materials and colour and engage with the creative process,” she says. “It’s about creating a chemical reaction where no two pieces are the same.”
Juanita understands the need to balance the time and focus needed to produce and create art while also finding time and having the skill set to market your work.
That’s why you need heroes who are going to step up and champion the work of the artists and represent and promote them commercially.
With a strong presence in the digital world, including the easy-to-order online facility and now a physical space for galleries, workshops and exhibitions, Studio One Noosa is THE ONE for local art in Noosa. #Hanginglocalartoneverywall
DON’T MISS
“OUR LOCALS” Exhibition
12 December 2023 – 27 January 2024.
Original Works on display by Studio One Noosa’s Collective Artists.
Colour Chemistry Sip & Pour Workshops
Create an original artwork and discover the magic of Fluid Art with acrylic pouring.
All materials provided as well as nibbles. BYO drinks.
2.5 hours, $120 per person (group booking discounts apply, max. 12 per class)
Check the website for dates and to book
