Images courtesy of Mike Raymond, Debbie Blennerhassett & Artists
The artists’ space
4 Dec 2026 - 30 Jan 2027
Opening Fri 4 Dec at 5:30pm
East Gippsland Art Gallery
2 Nicholson St, Bairnsdale
This exhibition will feature the Gallery transformed into working artist studios, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes experience into the creative process and a program of art workshops for all ages. Join us for the launch of ‘The Artists’ Space - Finding Foundry’ book on the night.
Meet the Artists…
Image courtesy of Mike Raymond
CLeed
Enamel Artist
CLeed.art
Every nook of Callie’s studio holds something that sparks curiosity. Tiny enamel test tiles create a patchwork of colour, sitting alongside finished works, tools and unusual approaches to organisation.
Image courtesy of Mike Raymond
pauline crunden
Landscape Artist
Formulated from years of memories, Pauline’s studio is less like a purpose-built workspace and more like a living archive. The space is perfectly suited not only to who she is, but how she prefers to work.
Image courtesy of Mike Raymond
InGE dE KOSTER
Jeweller / Sculptor
The influence of place is everywhere. Bark, flowers, stones and other natural materials gathered from the surrounding landscape find their way into Inge’s silver clay jewellery.
Image courtesy of Mike Raymond
PENny Gray
Mixed Media Artist
Entering Penny Gray’s studio - in fact, her home, her bungalow, her property in general - is a delight. It teeters right on the edge of gentle chaos; colourful, but curated and contained.
Image courtesy of Debbie Blennerhassett
JILL HERMANS
Contemporary Jewellery
jillhermans.com
Before the tools, before the jewellery bench, before the work in progress - there is the light. It's the first thing anyone notices stepping into Jill Hermans' studio, and it shapes almost everything that happens there.
Image courtesy of Debbie Blennerhassett
Deanne Howlett
Resin Artist
deannehowlett.com
Living in Paynesville, surrounded by waterways, Deanne is drawn to the fragments left behind by the ocean. Marine debris, found materials and objects with their own stories become starting points for new work. There is a sense of care in this process - of noticing what others might overlook and giving it another life.
Image courtesy of Mike Raymond
WENDY REEVE
Ceramic Artist
Step into Wendy Reeve's studio and it's difficult to know where to look first. Shelves lined with vessels in every stage of making. Tools hanging within easy reach. Clay waiting patiently on benches. It is a place that's constantly in motion; where one piece is drying while another is being trimmed - and yet another is just beginning its life on the wheel.
Image courtesy of Mike Raymond
GAVIN ROBERTS
Maker / Sculptor
madebygav.com
Inside Gavin’s studio holds its own gravity. Eclectic, layered, a kind of organised strangeness that visitors respond to immediately. A central carving table anchors the room; everything orbits around it. Tools sit in a well worn canvas roll - knives, axes, carving implements - carried, opened, used, returned.
Image courtesy of Mike Raymond
Elisabeth Scott
Printmaker / Illustrator
Although much of the making happens indoors, Elisabeth’s work begins somewhere else. The Australian bush finds its way onto the page, with native plants and natural forms becoming quiet companions throughout her practice. The landscape is less than a subject, but more a constant presence
Image courtesy of the artist.
Cindy Tong
Ceramic Artist
cindytong.com
Cindy's studio is exactly what you might expect of a potter's workspace - shelves lined with drying work, buckets of clay, carving tools and a kiln tucked into what was once an ordinary garage. Passers-by often stop to ask what is happening inside.
Discover more artists’ creative studios…
Our book appropriately titled ‘The Artists' Space’ steps into the world of 28 artists’ studios. If you enjoyed visiting ‘The Artists' Space’ Exhibition at East Gippsland Art Gallery, you can take a piece of this exhibition home with our self-published book.
Purchase your copy of this book here.
Photo by Nella Fullard
WORKSHOPS & DEMONSTRATIONS
This summer, Foundry have partnered with East Gippsland Art Gallery to bring you a program filled with workshops, demonstrations and events.
From free workshops, artist demonstrations and for those who just want to watch - an artist will be working in the gallery every day.
If you are an artist and you would like to get involved and facilitate a workshop, please send us an email at contact@ifoundthefoundry.com.
Bookings are not essential but recommended as spaces are limited. Refer to each event for specific details.
Visit this section again soon to save a seat at one of our artist led workshops.
Discover more artists’ creative studios…
For over a decade, Foundry has quietly grown from a small shop in Bairnsdale into a thriving creative community. Our book appropriately titled ‘The Artists' Space’ steps behind the finished work to reveal what happens before it - the studios, sheds, kitchen tables and quiet corners where 28 local artists and makers shape their ideas into being.
Pre-order: The Artists' Space
For the past 10 months, we have been working on an exciting Foundry project - a beautiful hardcover photography book, The Artists' Space.
To help cover the cost of printing, we're offering pre-orders now to secure your copy. Order and pay today, and your freshly printed book will be ready for collection (or postage) around the end of November.
About the book
For over a decade, Foundry has quietly grown from a small shop in Bairnsdale into a thriving creative community. The Artists' Space steps behind the finished work to reveal what happens before it - the studios, sheds, kitchen tables and quiet corners where 28 local artists and makers shape their ideas into being.
Through original photography by Deb Blennerhassett and Mike Raymond, and written profiles by Jes John, our book offers a rare opportunity to step inside the places where creativity unfolds. From purpose-built workshops and converted sheds to home studios overlooking rivers, farmland and coastline, each space reflects the unique relationship between an artist, their practice and the landscape they call home.
The artists featured are:
Sabine Amos, Brian Appleton, Barry Ashton, Daudai Brown, Pauline Crunden, Inge de Koster, Naomi Enright, Penny Gray, Chris Guthleben, Andrea Hall, Jill Hermans, Sarah Holt, Deanne Howlett, Josephine Jakobi, Daniel Jenkins, Jes John, Callie Leed, Jenny Marsden, Suzanne Martin, Clare Murphy, Marlene Rees, Wendy Reeve, Gavin Roberts, Elisabeth Scott, Kate Shone, Sam Thomas, Cindy Tong & Julia Trezise.