TAKE the opportunity of some down time in Cowes over the next few days to visit the gallery in the Berninneit cultural centre in Cowes to take in an exhibition of 50 small contemporary artworks featuring 2D and 3D works including painting, photography, pottery, printmaking, sculpture and textile.
And while you are at it, take in the splendour of the award-winning Berninneit building itself with its grand hall, library, museum, theatre and other spaces.
The PICES 50x50 Art Exhibition has been mounted by the Phillip Island Contemporary Exhibition Space committee, open daily until next Wednesday, January 1 from 10am to 4pm.
All of the works are for sale.
The Phillip Island Contemporary Exhibition Space committee Inc (PICES) is a not for profit community organisation that since 2019 has pursued its goal of securing a purpose-built exhibition space in Cowes in order to fulfill its aims of supporting artists from Bass Coast and beyond and bringing quality contemporary art to the community.
With more than 5000 practicing artists throughout the Gippsland region including over 400 on Phillip Island alone. PICES saw a need to actively develop new innovative opportunities for both artists and the viewing public. PICES now plays an important role acting as a bridge between artists and art lovers.
This summer in partnership with the Bass Coast Shire Council PICES presents its sixth annual Summer Exhibition which includes PICES inaugural 50x50 Exhibition and two curated Pop Up exhibitions.
- Exhibition 1: 50x50 Exhibition December 14 to January 1 featuring a wide variety of small, affordable art works by 50 artists from Bass Coast, Gippsland and beyond.
- Exhibition 2: Pop Up 1 January 4-14 showcasing Rob Barron (pottery), Lana de Jager (printmaking), Silvi Glattauer (printmaking), Jenny Jackson (painting), Julie Lundgren Coulter (painting), Anne Mestitz (painting), Lindy Patterson (painting), Karen Preston (painting) Linda Shaw (painting), Liz Tyler (printmaking), Kim Wood (painting), and Martine Zajacek (collage).
- Exhibition 3: Popu Up 2 Jamuary 16-27 showcasing Peter Brook, Stephen Glover, Wendy Habraken-Flack (drawing), Melinda Holt, Carolyne Jane, Jillian Mitchell (photography), Kate Stuart (pottery), Candida van Rood, Kylie Watson (printmaking) and Pain White.
Diana Bannister, Treasurer of Phillip Island Contemporary Exhibition Space is delighted with how well the exhibitions have been supported by the artists and so far, by the viewers.
“We were created to expose Phillip Island and Bass Coast to good quality contemporary art. Warren Nichols and Sandra Petters started the group six years to manage exhibitions.
“Last summer PICES invited three artists to exhibit, with video of the artists working in their studios.
“This is something else we are trying, with 50 artists and small contemporary pieces most of the artists from Gippsland with the paintings hanging in salon style.
“We’ll continue changing things, looking for different artists and exhibition styles,” she said.
