Despite the coronavirus restrictions, Warrnambool's galleries have been able to thrive in the online world.
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The Warrnambool Art Gallery and The F Project both entered the virtual sphere and created engaging content leading to a wider catchment of people viewing the art on show.
Warrnambool Art Gallery director Vanessa Gerrans said the gallery's Artists At Home web series had been "extraordinarily well received".
"We are delighted and surprised by the reach it had," she said.
"I'm so pleased we had the chance to do it and think outside of our norm.
"I think it's something we'll continue."
The F Project converted their gallery into a online experiences and director Helen Bunyon said feedback indicated artists and visitors enjoyed the digitised exhibitions with some sales expanding to outside the south-west.
"It's keeping artists in the eye of the public and artists are pleased as their work is now always online and it's been shared wider afield," she said.
"A few have been mystified as how to use the online exhibition but for others they've had no problems.
"We'd like to incorporate and expand the online capacity of The F Project and even move our shop online depending if we receive some funding to do so.
"Though nothing beats coming in and seeing the art, the online space is just another option."
Open again
Warrnambool Art Gallery opened its doors on June 9 while The F Project will remain closed until July 3.
Ms Gerrans said many people had come back to the gallery since its re-opening and plans have been made to ensure the acclaimed Warrnibald would continue.
We've had a heap of visitors, we're really excited to be open and I think people have been craving that social connection.
- Vanessa Gerrans
"The Warrnibald is adapting through Covid-19. One of its primary factors is for artists to sit with the person they're painting. We've fully digitised the Junior Warrnibald and made it possible to do the portrait from a photograph.
"We will still stage the exhibition as people are now allowed to come in but we will also live stream it and have a virtual tour for people who aren't ready to come in yet."
The F Project's decision to hold off opening the gallery was made at a recent committee meeting but have resumes some classes.
"We met for the first time face-to-face and decided to open for three days from July 3 so we can see how people respond to coming back," Mrs Bunyon said.
A lot of our volunteers are older and we wanted to check in with them first to see what they were comfortable with.
- Helen Bunyon
"We decided that just because we could open, doesn't mean we had to and we want our premise to be as safe as possible."
Moving forward
The Warrnambool Art Gallery recently appointed Aaron Bradbrook as curator of exhibitions and outreach.
Mr Bradbrook has previously held roles at The Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Italy, the Ballarat International Foto Biennale, the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, and Alcaston Art Gallery in Melbourne.
The gallery has also secured a $50,000 grant to compile an exhibition celebrating Indigenous south-west women.
Meanwhile, The F Project is opening its latest exhibition by Terang print artist Robert 'Bob' Emeny.
ISO Prints was completed amid the coronavirus pandemic and come two years after his first solo exhibition at the gallery.
Emeny's exhibition is available to view through The F Project's website with all works on sale.
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