Geelong enjoys many Art Galleries, including:
The Geelong Gallery, Lt Malop St
Current exhibitions
Robert Dowling - Son Of Empire
Geelong Gallery is the exclusive Victorian venue for this significant exhibition; the first retrospective of the work of Robert Dowling (1827-1886), an artist considered Australia's major portrait and figure painter of the late colonial period 1850 to 1885, who lived and worked in Geelong in the mid-1850s. Born in Britain in 1827, Dowling migrated with his family to Australia as a child in 1834 and was raised in Launceston, Tasmania. It was here that he launched his career as a portrait painter in 1850. In 1854, Dowling moved to Victoria and settled in Geelong. From his Geelong base, Dowling painted portraits of pastoral families from the Western District of Victoria, a number of which depict Aborigines in close social interaction with the European settlers. His portrait commissions include those from the Ware family, the McArthur family and Mrs. Adolphus Sceales. One of the key images in this touring exhibition, Mrs. Margaret McArthur of Meningoort, 1856, is a major work in Geelong Gallery's collection of colonial paintings. The exhibition os only showing until July 11, when it moves to Canberra.
Free admission.
and...
National Wool Museum
26 Moorabool St City. ph 5227 0701, email nwminfo@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
The nation's award-winning wool museum sheepishly covers every aspect of woolgrowing, marketing, gathering and manufacturing - but it also has an excellent exhibition space for local and travelling art shows.
Current Exhibitions:
Christmas Creations for Mr Johnston – by Geelong Artisans
The works of more than 200 Geelong region artists who provided the furnishings and hand-made Christmas decorations for the 2009 exhibition at Melbourne’s prestigious Johnston Collection. A different region is featured annually at the venue, but the Geelong region's scope and quality prompted The Johnston organisers to keep it together for this one-off special exhibition. The exhibition features works by the Embroiderers Guild, Victoria (Geelong Branch), Coastal Textile Artists, Geelong CWA, Geelong and District Porcelain Painters Inc, Geelong Patchworkers and Quilters’ Guild, Geelong Textile and Associated Artists Inc, Leopold Lacemakers, The Third Wednesday Group and the Trolly Dolly Cloth Doll Club Inc.
Tree and table decorations, porcelain presents, impressive quilts, handcrafted festive food and stunning 1.5m high glass Christmas trees are just some of the highlights of the exhibition, which will be on display at the National Wool Museum until August 29th.
Shearers Arms Gallery
202 Aberdeen St Geelong West
ph 5223 1825
email sharersarms@bigpond.com
The Gallery is in a heritage listed former hotel and is controlled by the community-based not-for-profit Geelong Art Society. It hosts exhibitions of members; and of students.
Current Exhibition, Members works
The Scarecrow Patch
18 Wheatsheaf St, Ceres
ph 5249 1350
email unicornem@bigpond.com.
The works of Elaine Mitchell can be viewed 10.00 - 4.00pm Friday to Sunday and during the week by appointment. Phone 5249 1350 or email Nimbus.em@hotmail.com
Entry is a gold coin donation.
Geelong Fine Art School and Gallery
560a Latrobe Blvd, Newtown
ph 5221 8874
Artist-run studio and gallery attached to the Geelong Fine Art School. Both are housed in a run-down riverside former wool factory and both are run by Robert Drummond & Patricia Semler. Has been going for 20 years without ever receiving outside funding.
Popularly - and lovingly - known to locals as the spiritual home of Geelong's Bohemians.
Current Exhibition: Works of students
Gordon Gallery
cnr Fenwick St & Gordon Ave ph 5225 0606 email cfrisch@gordontafe.edu.au web www.gordontafe.edu.au
The Gordon Gallery forms part of the Gordon Tafe. It is run as a not-for-profit art and exhibition space and also hosts functions and travelling exhibitions..
no Current Exhibition
Free entry
KARINGALLERY
4, James St City ph 5221 1789 email karingallery@karingal.org.au
A Studio/Gallery that offers support & exhibition space to people with disabilities. Open to the public and also available to Geelong's arts community.
Current Exhibition:
Ryrie St Gallery
66 Ryrie St, City ph 5229 7805 email jricky@bigpond.com
Attached to a leading picture framer, the gallery has a large picture space to rent with excellent lighting.
Current Exhibition
arQ Studios and Gallery
40 Geelong Rd Portarlington ph 5259 1123 email swanbays@bigpond.net.au
The arQ Studio and Gallery is shared by five practicing sculptors and artists. Their works are on display and for sale.
Current Exhibition: Studio Artists