About Us

An artist run initiative

Located in the heart of Fitzroy’s arts precinct, 69 Smith Street Gallery provides opportunities for the professional development of visual artists who work in a wide range of art forms. The gallery also promotes public appreciation and understanding of contemporary visual art through critical debate.

Primarily a rental venue, its exhibition program includes invitational, solo and thematic group exhibitions.

In 2007 the gallery acquired video and sound equipment which is free to use by the artists exhibiting.

69 Smith Street Inc. Association Rules

Chairperson

Merle Parker

Merle has been involved with 69 Smith St, since 1998 and as a Committee member since 2000. After graduating from Swinburne University, she worked for many years as a graphic artist and assisted with the running of an offset printing business. Merle also worked as a Puppeteer making the puppets, props and performing for preschool children. In her spare time Merle also assists students in producing folios for entrance to Tertiary education.

Gallery Coordinator

Aneta Bozic

Aneta has had a long association with the gallery, first exhibiting in 2001 and joining the committee at the beginning of 2010. Her studies include the visual arts, creative arts therapy and animation. She has participated in and curated many group exhibitions and solo installations at the gallery. She enjoys experimenting with materials and exploring themes, most recently centred around natural objects and the way we interpret them.

Exhibition Coordinator

Amellia Xie

Amellia joined the Committee in late 2010, persuing a keen interest in art and art management. Her work is primarily in oils and more recently has expanded to working in lithography.

http://www.visualarts.net.au/gallery/amellia

Treasurer

Veronica Hodgkinson

Veronica has been a member of 69 Smith Street since 2005 and joined the committee as Treasurer in 2007. Since graduating with an advance Diploma of Photography from the Photography Studies College she has exhibited in many group shows. Her passion is in alternative and traditional photographic process.

http://veronica-hodgkinson.com

Secretary

Michael Cuthbert

Michael is a retired Art and Craft teacher who majored in painting. He has been painting most of his life and had his first solo exhibition in 2004 at the 69 Smith Street Gallery. Michael applied for the position of secretary after reading about the vacancy in the gallery’s newsletter.

Newsletter Editor

Emma Blee

Emma joined the 69 Smith Street Gallery in May 2008 and is the editor of the quarterly gallery newsletter. Emma’s art practice is in oil painting mixed media where she explores the colours and textures that are contained in our memories of places and experiences. She is a regular exhibitor in both solo and group exhibitions.

Websiste Coodinator & Untutored Life Drawing

Denise De Keyzer

Denise has been a member of 69 Smith Street since 2006 and joined the committee in 2007.She complete her studies at The Melbourne School of Art in 1997 and has a passion for drawing and painting.

www.denisedekeyzer.com.au

Publicity Representative

Irene Amorosi

Irene has been a member of 69 Smith Street since 2002 and joined the committee in 2005. Being very passionate about the arts, Irene completed a Diploma of Visual Arts, majoring in printmaking. She has had three solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group exhibitions. One of her new portfolio of innovative works was selected by the Committee of Melbourne to be displayed on various modes of public transport for their autumn launch in 2008.

Emails

Carol Rowlands

Carol has been a member since 2008 and joined the committee in 2009. She studied fine art – painting at the Victorian College of Art, Master of Visual Art at Monash University and electronic multi-media at Victoria University. She has exhibited at many Melbourne Galleries, and at 69 Smith Street Gallery since 2003. She explores the physical and psychological boundaries of suburban sprawl.

carolrowlands.com.au

Sculpture Garden Coordinator

Marianne Little

Marianne’s art training in the 60’s included painting, sculpture and textiles. Her work as an art/craft high school teacher continued to widen her skills. Marianne is now focusing her attention on papermaking, some painting and sculptural book arts

Previous Committee members

The following have also been valued members of the management Committee:

Gabba Bates (Exhibition Coordinator)
Julie Harmsworth (Treasurer)
Janice Gobey (Exhibition Coordinator)
Michele Meister (Exhibition Coordinator)
Ulrika Holmlund (Website Coordinator)