Community
30 October, 2025
New space on display
A THRIVING artistic space at the Commercial Hotel has launched an expansion which the committee hopes will help to shine a new light on the creative talents of south west residents.
The Terang Artists Gallery (TAG) celebrated a new beginning last Friday evening with the opening of a new exhibition after moving into the neighbouring storefront.
The exhibition, A Sense of Place, showcases the works of more than a dozen local artists across a wide range of mediums.
The move provides TAG with an expanded space to showcase a wider array of works.
President Peter ‘Fozz’ Fotheringham said he was pleased to see the growth after TAG was first formed in late 2023.
The concept was to provide a space where artists would be able to showcase their work to the public, in addition to meeting likeminded people.
As new space at the Commercial Hotel became available, Mr Fotheringham said it was an easy decision to seek expansion.
“They had a restructure at The Commercial Hotel and, in that, we took on what was formally an office in another room,” he said.
“We’ve had to rearrange things and get a bit of work done to make it a gallery.
“We’ve taken on three windows and more space.
“It’s a studio-style gallery, which is where you have lot of work so it looks like a shop rather than a gallery where you would have one piece on one wall.
“It’s what people like because they can browse like they’re in a shop.”
Mr Fotheringham said TAG had continued to be well supported in the community, with no shortage of foot traffic perusing the offerings from local talent.
“When they come inside they realise there is a lot more than the might think,” he said.
“There are little things which can be bought as gifts or major pieces of work.
“There’s all sorts of things.”
Among the committee members celebrating the expansion was advertising secretary Judy Armstrong, who said she hopes more space could lead to more opportunities to showcase the talent of artists.
“We’ve recently reopened, with this being the first exhibition we’ve had since the expansion which has drawn in around 13 exhibiting artists,” she said.
“We’d love to have more artists coming down and exhibiting their work such as sculptors, glassmakers, ceramics and more – I would love to see some large three-dimensional pieces.
“We’ve had a lot of people coming through – they love seeing the windows changing every month, which I think draws people in.
“There’s already an eclectic mix of artists and mediums on display but there is always space for other people wanting to exhibit.”
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