Manjimup Arts Hub are set to open their doors this Saturday

A new community arts hub will open its doors on Saturday aimed at showcasing the artistic talent and craftsmanship from across the South West.

The Manjimup Arts Hub will officially open to the public on September 10, displaying a range of local artisan products for sale, including prints, paintings, photography, wood design and jewellery.

Arts hub chairperson Pam Bodsworth said the hub will showcase artworks across a range of mediums, as a way of showcasing regional artists and makers.

“We want to showcase the region, the region’s artisans, and their fine works,” she said.

“It’s here for the artists of Manjimup, anyone to do with art and craft, a community space for them to showcase and sell their art.”

Ms Bodsworth said the hub idea was inspired by other arts centres across the South West region, including the Donnybrook Artisans, The Rabbit Hole in Bridgetown, Mitchell House Arts Centre in Mount Barker, and the Vancouver Arts Centre in Albany.

“This space is a mixture of all of those ideas put together,” she said.

“Each one does something different which we have drawn from.”

“The hub will also feature collections owned by locals which will be displayed on rotation, for example, Norma Moloney’s doll collection and John Neil’s Meccano Bayko toys.”

Hub members were in discussion with other artists who plan to hold workshops in the rear space of the hub, the first of these workshops being held in November.

“The space we are in was empty prior to us taking over so we presented a proposal to the owner, Paul Rumenos, to inhabit the space,” Ms Bodsworth said.

“The Rumenos family are now patrons of the hub which we are very grateful for.”

The hub will hold its grand opening on Friday night, with a performance by local music school, Julia Sykes School of Music.

Membership is encouraged for anyone who wishes to support the hub, and is required for those who wish to display their artwork inside. The hub will open from Thursday through to Monday.