A CREATIVE hub and pop-up art space that has added a splash of colour to Footscray faces an uncertain future without community help.
Nicholson Street’s Colour Box Studio has been creating a stir in creative circles since October thanks to the efforts and goodwill of director Amie Batalibasi and a dedicated team of volunteers.
The studio’s program changes month to month, displaying a range of artists and artforms through pop-up shops, exhibitions, events and workshops.
Batalibasi says the success of Colour Box Studio has far exceeded her early expectations.
“I think our space is really unique and the first time Melbourne has really seen anything like this,” she said.
“I did a lot of research into artist-run spaces and they tend to work as a gallery sort of space, but I wanted to achieve something different and that’s where the pop-up idea came in.”
Batalibasi said the space had been built by the community for the community, which gave people a sense that “anything is possible”.
But to keep offering free events and supporting local artists until the current lease runs out in October, the studio needs to raise about $7000 in seven weeks.
Now at the halfway mark, an all-or-nothing online crowd-funding campaign offers a range of tempting rewards including hand-crafted jewellery, artworks, workshops and a flash mob dance. Funds will go towards running expenses, materials, programming and equipment.
Coming programs will include writing and performance, music and sound, visual arts and ‘young people in the arts’.
Batalibasi hopes the learning experience of the first year will help the studio set up in another space and stay in Footscray long into the future.
Further details: pozible.com/colourboxstudio
