SMA Projects & the MARS gallery launch artist in residence programme at The Lyric
SMA Projects in collaboration with the MARS Gallery, have created an artist in residence programme which provides young emerging artists with the studio and gallery space to prepare and exhibit their works.
The artist in residency programme will be based on a two-month rotation with SMA Projects providing artists with gallery space in the display suite of their latest project for Fitzory - The Lyric. Studio space will also be made available to artists above the display suite located at 250 Gore Street.
The first artist in residence is 2015 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artist of the year Josh Muir who has created a new series of unique artworks that celebrate his indigenous heritage, his future and his love of the Fitzroy and Collingwood community.
"Opportunities like this are important for emerging artists to enable us to show our work to a broad audience" says Muir. "Getting experience interacting with the local community and talking to people about your work is a vital learning step and helps us become recognised artists".
MARS gallery director Andy Dinan said initiatives such as SMA projects artist in residence programme provide vital support to the creative community.
"These initiatives provide the much-needed support the creative community requires to thrive in the current landscape", said Dinan.
"SMA projects is giving young emerging artists such as Josh Muir a chance to interact with the public sell their work and talk about their process the skills integral for young artist and will give them the chance to flourish in the future".
Robert Murphy, SMA Projects Development Manager, says "We believe developers should understand the fabric of the communities they build in. The City of Yarra is an incredibly special area in Melbourne and the creative and marker community really lies at its heart".
The artist in residence programme was launched on the 8th of March with an opening event that celebrated Josh Muir's latest works, a smoking ceremony to welcome guests and honour the Wurrundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the traditional owners of the land upon which Melbourne now sits.
For more background on Josh, see this profile on Creative Victoria: Art Heals - The remarkable journey of Josh Muir.
To visit the gallery, head down to 250 Gore Street in Fitzroy - open on weekdays from midday to 4pm and between 10am and 4pm on weekends.
The Lyric is a 156 residence project designed by Hayball and developed by SMA Projects. The building will be located at 338 Gore Street. Click here to view more information about the project.
