ALL ABOARD

Following the success of The Puma, The Stranger and The Mountain in 2007, it was felt that further exhibitions should take place in Dunkeld, utilising the old station building as an exhibition space.

Jan Leishman and Pru Saimoun, two local artists who seemed particularly enthusiastic about using the space, approached Trevor Flinn to form a collective and discuss their ideas. Jan (who makes tapestrys) invited Pru (a photographer) and Trevor to her place to discuss the possibilities. It didn't take long to decide that the next exhibition to take place in the Old Station should be a group show representing the work of Dunkeld's growing number of artists.

Having compiled a list of local artists, Jan and Pru set about contacting each person and inviting them to submit one or two works for display. Meanwhile Trevor contacted the community relations manager of V/Line and requested the use of the building over the Easter long weekend.

The show, it was decided, would be called 'All Aboard' and the old station would in turn be known as Off The Rails Gallery.

Those organising the exhibition wanted to make sure that all exhibitors had the opportunity to show their work in an environment that made them feel comfortable. The exhibition was intended as a chance for all involved to display new work or works that had never been on public show before.

It was hoped that the exhibition would provide the opportunity for local artists to get together and meet each other. But it was equally about giving interested locals the rare chance to see a variety of artwork, produced by 13 different artists, all in one convenient location.