Out & About – Side Gallery, Red Hill

Side Gallery

Emma St, Red Hill  

Tucked away in a side street between Red Hill and Newmarket, Side Gallery is a wonderful find. Set in lush tropical surrounds, the suburban location is the perfect place to explore local creativity.

The director Leesa Hickey and curator Laura Brinin opened the gallery in 2015. Both have artistic backgrounds and Fine Arts degrees – Leesa as a graphic designer, and Laura transitioned from being an artist to a curator.

The gallery mostly exhibits contemporary and modern art, featuring a curated selection of both emerging and established local artists – supporting artists to develop their practice. Exhibitions feature mixed medium, mostly paintings, and sculpture and performance displays.

Opening nights occur every 2-3 weeks and include free wine and cheese platters.

The gallery itself is a small contemporary space – which Laura mentions as a curator is more challenging to work with than a large space, selecting and ensuring artworks work well in the limited space.

In addition to the gallery space, creative workshops are held on a regular basis, allowing participants to try out different artistic mediums. The workshops take place in an open room connecting both inside and outside, overlooking the lush gardens, with catering included.

Side Gallery is open during exhibition periods; see the website for exhibitions details and opening times. The gallery is also available for private functions, events, and creative workshops.

September exhibition: features emerging contemporary Aboriginal artist Arabella Walker, a Wulli Wulli woman, with “Chip off a Bushman” – exhibiting Thurs 5 Sept to Fri 13 Sept.

Current workshops at the gallery are part of the Outdoor Gallery exhibition program organised by Brisbane City Council.

From 14 June to 3 November 2024, explore Council’s latest Outdoor Gallery exhibition, Paradise Gloss. Curated by Laura Brinin, Paradise Gloss provides the community with opportunities to engage in creative exploration and encourages play to improve mental wellbeing. See more details here: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/things-to-see-and-do/experiences-and-culture/public-art-in-brisbane/outdoor-gallery

For more: www.sidegallery.com.au
Address: 7 Emma St, Red Hill
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesidegallery
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesidegallery

Author: Melanie Grevis-James
Image credits: Melanie Grevis-James, Arabella Walker

For more about our Western Suburbs Art Galleries please read here…