By Emily-Rose Toohey
The picturesque town of Killarney is home to Willow Gallery Collective, a volunteer based art studio ideally located on the main street.
Its serene locality seems like the perfect place to be inspired to create, with the town’s sprawling green hills and peaceful energy.
The group comprises of 13 local artists and craftspeople who sell fine arts, homemade crafts, collectables, gifts, plants, flowers, pre-loved antiques, and hand crafter woodwork.
It was the first art-themed collective in Killarney and has been thriving for 10 years ever since.
Willow Gallery Collective member Maureen Brosnan said the group is creative and likeminded, and contributes their different artworks on a volunteer basis.
“We have a lovely location here in the main street, where people can just pop in,” Maureen said of the gallery.
Another Willow Gallery Collective member Jayne Deshon said she was immediately drawn to the welcoming feel of the 100 year old building and the people involved.
On a Friday in mid-February, five of the collective’s members graciously discussed and showcased their work.
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Jayne Deshon:
Jayne has been embroidering for years and said she wanted to move away from traditional embroidery.
“It’s beautiful but I’ve just got hooked on slow stitching, Japanese inspired embroidery using all recycled material and scraps (like old t-shirts) that I’ve had in my cupboard for years,” Janye said.
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Jan Allan
Jan uses her artistic skills to paint and has a particular specialty for flowers.
“Although it’s mainly flowers, I do a bit of everything using acrylics and oils, pastels, and water colour cards,” Jan said.
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Maureen Brosnan
Maureen specialises in local-themed photography which is produced on canvas.
“I also have a few images that have the old traditional glass, but it’s mostly on canvases these days, and mostly photos of the region,” Maureen said.
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Annette Russell
Annette uses her gardening skills to sell potted plants and floral arrangements.
“I’ve got a big garden with lots of roses and perennials like lavenders, and I sell flowers by the bucket or if people ask I do arrangements,” Annette said.
“The plants will be ready from the end of March.”
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Dawn Head Rose
Dawn is a painter who works in water colour, acrylic, and pastels.
“I try to do a lot of the local scenes because we find people are looking for local scenes when they come through,” Dawn said.
“I do large and small paintings, and I also do cards.”
Willow Art Collective is open from 10.00am to 3.00pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and is located at 26 Willow St, Killarney QLD 4373
