By Parker McKenzie
Take the time to view the artwork displayed throughout local trader’s shopfronts and windows in Ferntree Gully next time you are shopping in the area.
Local artists have been displaying their work in businesses thanks to the Hut Gallery Ferntree Gully Arts Society.
The Foothills Arts Trail project is a community art exhibition that aims to bring art and the community together.
President of the Ferntree Gully Arts Society Shirley Dougan said there are around 30 businesses involved in displaying the artwork.
“The whole point of this project is to bring energy to the different traders living in the village,” she said.
“There is something like 88 businesses in Ferntree Gully, who knew?”
24 artists have supplied the 48 pieces being displayed throughout local traders.
Mrs Dougan said new pieces will be displayed in early December and interested people can view all the pieces online.
“We got a new website courtesy of a grant of Knox City Council,” she said.
“It was finished in April or May and we’ve set up a comprehensive homepage called foothills art trail where you can click on the artwork and it will tell you where the artwork is and how to get in touch with the artist.”
The art will be on display until the traders close for the Christmas break when the Art Society will host a gallery featuring all the pieces.
Mrs Dougan said they have sold five pieces already and people interested in purchasing the art can do so via their website or by visiting the businesses themselves.
“On all the artwork there is QR code which will direct to the website,” she said.
“There is a real range in style, they are all quite different and it has been really good. The feedback we get from traders has been really positive.
“We’ve also had an indication that from a couple of places that they would be interested in making this an ongoing thing, with art from the gallery being displayed on their walls almost permanently.”
The Ferntree Gully Arts Society was founded in 1944 and is based at 157 Underwood Rd, Ferntree Gully.
Interested people can view the artwork and future Arts Society events at www.thehutgallery.com.au.
