Kallista Uniting Church members Karleen Osborne and Moira Heys welcome art lovers to visit the Chapel Gallery. 25604
By Tania Martin
IT’S not every day a chapel is converted into an art gallery but a group of local church goers have done just that.
Kallista Uniting Church has taken the popularity of its annual art show and turned it into a weekly event.
Simply known as the Chapel Gallery, this art centre has something for everyone to enjoy.
The opening of the gallery recently (6 December) was the realisation of a dream.
Parishioner Karleen Osborne said it had taken the group more than 12 months to get the gallery up and running.
She said the idea was first proposed in September 2007.
But Ms Osborne said the church had several obstacles to overcome before the chapel could open its doors.
The proposal had been delayed following several objections that were lodged at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Ms Osborne said there had been some concern about the lack of car parking.
“But we have plenty of parking. There are 18 spots on site and off street parking,” she said.
VCAT gave the project the tick of approval and the gallery was opened earlier this month.
The gallery, located in the heart of Kallista, has more than 526 pieces of art from paintings and wildlife sculptures to greeting cards, china, paintings and pottery.
A range of hills, eastern and Yarra Valley artists now have their work on display at the Chapel Gallery.
It also has a range of plants from B&T Ferns in Silvan for sale.
After taking in some of the local artwork, visitors can enjoy morning or afternoon tea.
The gallery is run by the 14 members of the church parish and is open every weekend from 10am to 4.30pm, at 92 Monbulk Road, Kallista.
Shoppers will have one last chance this weekend to view some of the artwork before the gallery closes for the Christmas period.
It will reopen its doors to the public on 17 January.
