Mannum artists find a home at new gallery and gift shop

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A new volunteer-run creative space in Mannum is emerging as both a gallery and a community hub, with strong opening-day attendance, early workshops, and visitors travelling from across the region and beyond.

Mannum Gallery and Gifts held its soft opening on Friday, attracting about 100 visitors on the day.

“We were very happy with the turnout,” said coordinator Carol Carini.

The gallery operates as a non-profit initiative driven by the Mannum Progress Association and supported by Mannum Creative Communities, a sub-committee focused on local arts and cultural projects.

Around 15 volunteers are involved, alongside approximately 13 local artists exhibiting work from across the region.

Ms Carini, the progress association chairwoman and Creative Communities coordinator, said the project was the result of years of persistence.

“There were a lot of artists in the area who didn’t have a home,” she said.

“For seven years, I’ve been trying to find a space for them.”

The former Scrooges building on Randell Street has been transformed into a vibrant space featuring locally made artworks, crafts and gifts, reflecting the diversity of regional creativity. 

The exhibition features a wide range of local artistic styles.

Works on display include Steve Oatway’s junk art sculptures, made from recycled and repurposed materials; Angelee Theodoros’ acrylic and watercolour landscapes and nature-inspired works; Rebecca Cooke’s visual art pieces; Carini’s own handmade jewellery; Joanne Dalwood’s mixed media works, and workshop pieces such as alcohol ink-painted planter pots; Sandie Kuehne’s artworks and hand-designed greeting cards and postcards; Karen Woodhouse’s acrylic paintings on canvas; laser-engraved works showcasing detailed design produced using modern techniques; and a collection of handcrafted textile art garments featuring layered natural dyes and expressive, one-of-a-kind wearable designs.

The exhibition also includes the work of local photographer Christine Denman, featuring her book Beyond the Bank: Power and Invincibility, which documents the 2022-23 floods on the Lower Murray and explores themes of resilience, community impact, and lived experience.

Alongside these are contributions from other local artists, further highlighting the depth and diversity of creative talent in the Mannum region.

Local artist and volunteer Rebecca Cooke said public interest had begun immediately.

“People were coming in while we were setting up and we couldn’t stop them,” she said.

“I ended up selling two pieces of my artwork to visitors from interstate before we even opened.”

She said the shop had already attracted many visitors, including coach tours and travellers passing through on river tourism routes such as the Murray Princess.

“A lot of gift shops are all about the tourist,” Ms Carini said.

“This is a combination of both tourists and the local community.”

She said the focus also remained strongly community-based, with plans to expand creative participation across Mannum.

Among recent visitors was Yvonne, an artist from the Barossa Valley, who travelled to Mannum to view Cooke’s work and meet local creatives and ended up in discussions about possible future workshops at the gallery.

Local resident Karen said she had been immediately drawn to the artworks on display.

She highlighted an alcohol ink-painted flowerpot by Joanne Dalwood: “How beautiful!”

She purchased the piece on the spot and also bought postcards created by Sandie Kuehne, describing her visit as uplifting and enjoyable.

On Saturday, a workshop led by Dalwood was held in the back space of the gallery, with around 15 participants taking part in alcohol ink painting on planter pots.

The artist said workshops would continue regularly, and free sessions, too.

A full program of upcoming workshops is already planned, including gel printing, memoir writing, bookmaking and creative writing sessions, with both paid and free community options available:

• Gel printing: 10am-12pm on May 16
• Memoir writing: 10am-4pm on May 29, with Jude Aquilina
• Book/journal making: 10am-12pm on May 30
• Creative writing: 10am-4pm on July 4, with Jude Aquilina

The group is also exploring additional community activities, including open studio sessions where locals can bring their own projects, work alongside others, and share ideas in a relaxed environment.

Later in the year, organisers hope to host a free community concert featuring local musicians, food vans and coffee vendors, further expanding the gallery’s role as a creative gathering place.

For organisers and artists alike, the project is about more than selling art – it is about building connection, confidence and community through creativity.

• More information: Email mannumprogress@gmail.com, call 0447 633 116 or search for Mannum Gallery and Gifts on Facebook or Instagram.