Melbourne Gallery Official Opening
Last week Bluethumb finally opened the doors up to our newly-renovated Melbourne Gallery. We welcomed 200 guests on a typical cold Melbourne night, with rain pelting our roof, and lightning flashing our gallery floor. But that didn’t deter any of our guests.
After several lockdowns, changing locations, and renovations, we were proud to pull back the curtain and welcome everyone into the new and improved gallery, located at 330 Bridge Rd, Richmond 3121. Our freshly painted walls were lined with 45 diverse and unique artworks.
Bluethumb Team At The Melbourne Official Gallery Opening.
Melbourne Gallery Assistant, Petra Nicel, curated the space with a range of fresh Australian art, with a strong focus on Victorian artists. When asked what the inspiration behind the exhibit was, she wanted to “focus on the talent of our local artists.”
Petra explains, “I was spoiled for choice with so many amazing Melbourne artists selling on Bluethumb, but my choices were based primarily on diversity.” This allowed artists from any stage of their career to be displayed in this curation, whether they were emerging or established.
While the artworks were the focus for the night, many attendees were quite pleased with this scrumptious grazing board, or should I say ‘grazing table’, which was a stellar choice by our team.
This Delicious Grazing Board That Pleased Many Guests at the Melbourne Gallery Opening.
The Melbourne gallery will have many new curations exhibited, with the 2022 Bluethumb Art Prize finalists to be on show in coming months, “as well as a top secret exhibition by a big name in the Australian art scene, which will be a huge treat for our collectors”, Petra has clued us in with.
Bluethumb Melbourne Gallery Official Opening.
Our Friendly Bluethumb Team With The Attendees On Official Gallery Opening Night.
Melbourne is renowned for its art culture, whether it be on peoples walls or lining urban alleyways. While Bluethumb has historically been an online art gallery, it is so special to have a physical gallery available for the art community to visit here in Melbourne. This gallery will add to the rich Arts community here in Melbourne, and allow more artists and collectors into Bluethumb’s arms.
Bluethumb’s gallery is the newest addition to the bustling Bridge Road precinct, allowing locals direct access to see art in person and add to their collections – or begin their collection!
Bluethumb’s Very Own Alicia Cornwell Attending and Posing With Her Art On Display On The Night.
Several artworks in the current curation were sold to attendees on the night. Michael Wolfe’s ‘Journey to the Stone Country’ caught one collector’s eye, wanting this bold abstract piece for their home. As well as Brad Gunn’s ‘Moi Blue’ sculpture going home with another collector.
NFT display with Bluethumb Digital
We were proud to finally be able to display our new and innovative NFT work with Bluethumb Digital. This is the the first time we’ve showcased the NFT artworks available for viewing in our gallery and we couldn’t wait to show off the works from the Genesis and Muses collection. We had quite a few crypto groups attend for the night, as well as artist Joy Chiang below with her piece ‘Coronation Series – Morning‘
Joy Chiang with her NFT from our Muses Collection.
Bluethumb Melbourne Gallery Entrance, With Michael Wolfe’s Artwork In The Window.
Together our founders, George and Ed Hartley, welcomed both familiar and new faces into the gallery. Alongside this being Bluethumb’s 10th year anniversary, and the biggest Bluethumb Art Prize pool, this gallery opening signified the company’s biggest year yet. Bluethumb history, and the process it took to gain this charming new building, was explained in George’s speech. Something in his speech that resonated with whole team was that “what we are doing and building, right now, at Bluethumb is special. Bluethumb may be ten years in, but it feels like we’re still just starting on our a mission. Get more artists out of jobs, into art careers.”
Co-Founder George With Bluethumb Artist Jen Shewring.
You can view the current curation on show in Melbourne here. Otherwise, the space is opened Monday – Saturday, with late-night viewing on Thursdays. So pop in to say hello to our friendly team, and see what artworks are on display! We can’t wait to see you.
Opening hours for our Melbourne Gallery:
Monday – 9:30am to 5:30pm
Tuesday – 9:30am to 5:30pm
Wednesday – 9:30am to 5:30pm
Thursday – 9:30am to 8pm
Friday – 9:30am to 5:30pm
Saturday – 10am to 4pm
Sunday – Closed
