Shining a Light on SPaRK

The Footy Shed Gallery, 10 Pennyroyal Valley Road, Deans Marsh

At the end of 2019, Creative Victoria awarded a grant to the Deans Marsh community that allowed for the refurbishment of under-utilised sporting facilities at the oval and to purchase arts equipment.

This was a great opportunity for artists and the curious to meet, learn, exhibit, and create. And SPaRK was born...

Deans Marsh SPaRK is an incorporated entity that facilitated the distribution of the grant money and continues as an umbrella organisation providing indemnity to workshop participants and volunteers through membership to Regional Arts Victoria. Deans Marsh Spark P/L can also apply for and receive grants for arts projects or upgrades to facilities.  The committee is Lynette Clucas (President), Liz Bashford (Treasurer), Miranda Jarvis (Secretary) and Veronica Phillips, Rob Phillips, and Gillian Farrow.  

During the year we come together to exhibit artist’s work as part of community art exhibitions and for the Surf Coast Arts Trail. The Footy Shed Gallery is open during Cottage community events such as the markets and the Deans Marsh Festival.

We post information about this and ways for local artists to be involved on our social media pages. Make sure to follow SPaRK on Facebook or Instagram

The groups that currently meet are

• Craft Gatherings (1st Wednesday & 3rd Sunday in the Hall 1pm - 4pm)

• Life Drawing (Thursday evenings Footy Shed - By Arrangement )

• Pottery (Tuesday & Thursdays 10am - 12pm - Pottery Shed)

• Printmaking (Fridays 10am - 12pm - Footy Shed)

• Kitchen Table Printing ( Tennis Club Room By Arrangement)

Each of these groups have arisen organically to make their own art, learn, and share knowledge.

Newcomers are welcome and ideally will have some experience particularly in the use of industrial equipment such as the pottery wheel, kiln, and sewing machines. 

Numbers are limited by the equipment and facilities available, thus, priority is given to the local community.

The following groups have availability:

Printmaking: Friday mornings

Craft Gatherings: First Wednesday and third Sunday afternoon each month

Life Drawing: Thursday evenings (next block TBC).

To register your interest for any of the SPaRK groups and to be involved, please send an email to sparkdeansmarsh@gmail.com Or pop past any of the groups and introduce yourself and have a chat to the group.

Workshops & Learning Opportunities

We work closely with the Deans Marsh Cottage to provide learning opportunities through their workshop programme with local artists, teachers, and tutors. Upcoming activities and workshops can be found on deansmarshcottage.org.au. If you have an idea for a course or workshop, feel free to contact the Cottage cottage@deansmarsh.org.au or (03) 5236 3388.