Revamp Designs Pop Up

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Posted 2015-12-24 by Rhiannon Bristow-Stagg ⇒ follow

Mon 21 Dec 2015 - Thu 31 Mar 2016

Behind the façade of a butchers shop in downtown Northam, exciting things are afoot.

The iconic building sits in the heart of Northam's main street but has sat vacant for years. To kick-start a reinvigoration, the Shire of Northam recently leased the shop, carried out minor repairs, and made it made it available to locals with vision. The first local business to 'pop up' is Revamp Designs, run by Cherie Trinder. In a twist of fate, Cherie had previously made enquiries and dreamt of using the very same building. So when the Shire called for expressions of interest, she was straight off the mark.

Inside the spacious front of the shop now sits a range of works by accomplished Northam and wheatbelt artists, including the WA Rural Artist of the Year. They include Carole Anne Wescombe, Rennie Langham, Robert McCaffrey, Lyn Howieson, Anne Ashman, Linda De Passey and Pat Rose. Mediums include paintings, sculpture, a high school photography exhibit, men's fashion, prints, textiles and a conceptual piece challenging asylum seeker processing. Prices start as low as $15 for a tote bag and $25 for a quality print, through to larger pieces. Cherie herself works on up cycled and reclaimed furniture and is undertaking an art course. The driving force behind the space has been to increase the recognition of local artists and provide a more permanent space for display. "We have so many talented artists that aren't given the recognition they deserve," explained Ms Trinder. "You may see their work at an exhibition but this [space] is putting it in the main shopping precinct".

Many feel Northam is over-looked in favour of neighbouring towns, but there are emerging community members leading change and advocating for recognition. Revamp Designs has certainly tapped into the arts aspect of this. "I want to see recognition that we actually do have talented artists here [in Northam], because you never think of Northam as being an arts centre or an arty town" said Ms Trinder. Revamp Designs is working towards making the space interactive in the future, with artists in residence and workshops. Funding options will also be explored for a future space. "My dream would be to have a dedicated community arts centre for the whole community. Everyone that walks in the door [here] has either an involvement with the arts, or is interested in the arts, or recognises that it's something important to them or someone they know. They just don't have the opportunity to have that outlet or explore that creative side", said Ms Trinder. The Revamp Designs pop up will run until the 16th of January 2016, with any future dates to be confirmed. It is open 7 days a week, 9am- 5pm weekdays and 10am-2pm weekends. Closed public holidays. The pop up shop can be found at 182 Fitzgerald Street Northam. For more information phone Revamp Designs on 0438 108 464 or visit the facebook page. Come and take a look at the talent of Northam artists.