The Art Shed Boggabri set for bigger and better things

The exhibition featured about 30 works of Tammey McAllan, Lorraine Maddigan, Tamar Greatrix, Rachael Passfield, Helen Stanley, Maddie McGrath, Jade Punch and Catherine Fogarty. David Chappell also displayed photographs and Julie Gosper displayed jewellery.

The Art Shed is a community initiative that was launched in 2017 to provide the Men’s Shed, David Chappell and Tammey McAllan somewhere to display and sell their works.

It was a vision realised for Boggabri Hardware and Rural Supplies owner Jo Bell who wanted to resurrect the old wooden shed out the back of the store. With encouragement from a friend and a chance conversation with Ms McAllan, the concept of a display space came to light.

Friday launched The Art Shed’s sixth exhibition and Ms McAllan said there were a number comments about “the change in our works”.

“As time goes on, we’re all getting more comfortable in our own style so our work keeps getting better,” she said.

When reflecting on the last 12 months, Ms McAllan said she was glad Lorraine Maddigan had become so involved in the venture.

“It’s really nice to bounce off each other and… we work really well together and we’re quite passionate about moving The Art Shed forward next year,” Ms McAllan said.

“I really want to get some new artists on board. If we get artists from everywhere it sort of opens the range of visitors to The Art Shed as well.

“I think next year will be really successful.”

Ms Maddigan said The Art Shed “not only brings people to us but also brings people to Boggabri”.

“I think it’s a great thing for Boggabri and the community and I can see it growing,” she said.

“It’s given me the motivation to push myself and produce more work and explore new topics, new subjects, and the experience has also meant I’ve been picking up heaps of commission work so it’s really made my dreams come true of wanting to be an artist.”

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Ms Maddigan said she would like to engage the community more by doing workshops with local kids and help build up business for the nursery, which is behind the shed.

“I know Jo Bell from the hardware is very passionate about building up the identity of Boggabri,” she said.

“We have our own identity and we need to work on promoting it more.”