The Briagolong Art Gallery is set to spark imagination and community spirit later this month with the launch of its highly anticipated winter exhibition, Quiddity — an event that marks the beginning of a major campaign to secure the gallery’s long-time home permanently.
Derived from the real, albeit lesser-known word meaning the “inherent nature or essence of a thing,” Quiddity features an eclectic collection of works from the talented collective of Freestone Press Artists, who have each spent months exploring and interpreting the unique concept.
In a major boost for the local arts community, the exhibition will double as a vital fundraiser. A fabulous silent auction will run concurrently with the show, featuring a select piece generously donated by each of the 14 participating artists.
All winning bids placed beyond the designated reserve prices will be directly funneled into the gallery’s major fundraising campaign, which aims to raise $200,000 to purchase its historic building and preserve the beloved cultural institution.
For 24 years, the Briagolong Art Gallery has been run continuously by a dedicated group of volunteers, operating as an accessible, affordable, and multi-purpose cultural hub in the heart of the town. Through the generous past support of patrons Ros and Bill Annear, the venue has blossomed into a well-known cultural bastion across Gippsland and beyond — providing a launchpad for emerging and established artists, a studio and workshop space, and a shopfront for unique, artisan-made gifts.
A digital and physical photo album showcasing all available auction items will be made public on the exhibition’s opening day, Saturday, June 27. Art lovers can view the pieces across the gallery’s official social media channels or examine them in person at the venue.
Bids can be submitted remotely by emailing briagolongartgallery@gmail.com, messaging the gallery’s social media accounts, or by dropping into the gallery in person. The Quiddity exhibition will run for five weeks, with final bidding officially closing during a grand closing celebration event on Sunday, August 2.
Beyond the auction, community members looking to support the $200,000 building buyout can contribute directly to the project’s official GoFundMe page.
