NGV Ian Potter Centre, at Federation Square is the perfect place to take international visitors to experience indigenous traditional and modern art. Open Tuesday through to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, allow a good hour to view the permanent collection on the ground floor, and ensure a visit to level three for the changing exhibit.
NGV Ian Potter Centre
Exiting NGV Ian Potter Centre, walk through the atrium and pop into
No Vacancy Gallery, a small room with new exhibitions running fortnightly. Here one will be treated to a range of contemporary shows from print-making, to graffiti, book prints and sculptures. Open Tuesday – Saturday: 11:00am – 5:00pm, Sunday: 12:00pm – 5:00pm. The main gallery is located a short distance away at the QV building, 34-40 Jane Bell Lane.
"Mother of Millions". by Mike Makatron
A few metres ahead, NGV Studio hosts new exhibitions each fortnight, often with artists in residence - a unique experience where at specific times throughout the day, over the course of the show, one can see artists create new pieces and speak to them about their already displayed works. A terrific initiative by NGV, worth signing up to their website for. NGV Studio opens 10am–5pm Sunday to Wednesday, 10am–10pm Thursday to Saturday.
Artists in residence for Fluoresce @NGV Studio
A short stroll down to 253 Flinders Lane, enter the
City Library. On Level 1, view a wall of changing prints, paintings, and moving images; and glass displays niches on the ground floor show casing sculptures. Afterwards, relax downstairs and read a book, magazine or newspaper. With libraries slowly becoming obsolete, this space is a quiet haven in the city.
City Library on Flinders Lane
A 15 minute walk to 361 Little Lonsdale Street, will have you walking down an alleyway to discover
1000 Pound Bend. A large open space downstairs which hosts the annual Midsumma Festival, Bend and Snap Market every Sunday, combined exhibitions from local and International talents, and community events such as making origami hearts for the Sustainable Living Festival.
"Gender Guerrilla". by Piepke
Make sure to take a look upstairs at
Rancho Notorious, for live music on Mondays, and various exhibitions and screenings throughout the year.
Kirpy at Rancho Notorious
1000 Pound Bend is definitely my favourite free gallery, which has the added bonus of a cafe/bar off it's main Little Lonsdale St entrance, with specials such as $8.50 burgers and $2 pots every Tuesday, including vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian burgers!
Cafe at 1000 Pound Bend
Do you love art as much as I do? Please share your must visit favourite free gallery spaces in Melbourne.
