Last week saw the yearly Open Studios nights at the Nicholas Building. Organised by Karla Wray most of the usual suspects had their studios open for inspection.
Chatting to participating artists, I was interested to note that this was the quietest year in awhile for those involved. Theories for this ranged from the withdrawal of support for the event by Craft Victoria to the timing of the nights coinciding with the height of MIFF and the opening of the new Westspace gallery.
I enjoyed prowling through studios as much as I do every year but I thought there were fewer participants and less variety of …stuff… for want of a better descriptor. The exception to this was the outstanding work in room 17 on the 9th floor. There’s a mixed bunch of artists in there, including a costume designer who has worked with Opera Victoria and two skilled jewelers. An excellent review of the work of the fourth artist in this tiny studio, Lisa Engelhardt, can be found here: theworldoflittlethings
Finally, it is sad to note that Sarah Trotter’s quirky little vintage space will be moving on from its funny little space in Studio 13, level 9. I have no doubt that her clothes will continue to be sold through her website
