An empty garage was the inspiration behind Yarraville’s newest, and possibly smallest, art space.
Friends Peta Ferguson and Patricia Stewart have opened a tiny art gallery in Peta’s Yarraville garage.
Dubbed Art Pocket, the gallery is open Saturdays from 11am to 2pm at 223 Somerville Road, Yarraville.
The friends have known each other for more than 30 years after meeting at Church of Christ in Gordon Street, Footscray.
The gallery boasts a collection of Patricia’s paintings and photographs, some framed, some not. The plan is to donate any proceeds to charity.
“Patricia needed somewhere to store all her artwork. I had an empty garage so we transferred all her work and once again the shed became a useful space,” explained Peta.
“From there, things evolved. I have what’s known as an acquired brain injury (ABI) which in my case means wonky speech and impaired gait amongst other things. Originally I was in a wheelchair completely mute for five years so this is an improvement!
“Patricia is very caring and tolerant and she listened to me as I complained of the complete level of ignorance in the community about ABI.
“One can sustain a head injury in all sorts of ways – car accident, fight, fall, stroke, overdose, playing sport, you name it. You could get a head injury tomorrow. There is an organisation, Brain Injury Matters, dedicated to raising community awareness. It was responsible for making me see there was life after head injury, not only not only that, it could be great.”
The friends will donate 100 per cent of proceeds to charities of their choice, including BIM, and will endeavour to open Art Pocket each Saturday until Christmas.
