‘The opening night on the 4th December was well received with over 120 people coming along for the official opening.  With distinguished guests such Mayor Scott Ferguson, Manager Rebecca Ryan, and the owner Vince Bargallo all attending along with the very clever 31 artists, family and friends, it was a huge success.  Artists came from every corner of the Shire including selected works from Blayneh High School students.  Artworks range from landscapes, still lifes, photographs, handmade jewelry, and homewares. With plenty of wine supplied by local winery Anullong Wines and the artists, the atmosphere was alive and buzzing.  One comment of the night was ‘This is the best thing to happen in Blayney for years’ and certainly the artists could not agree more.

Penny May states “With over $4744 artworks sold so far, it is clear Blayney Shire artists need a permanent exhibition space to display, sell artworks, gain a wider audience and celebrate their achievements.  What I am most proud of is I have not turned anyone away for the P.U.G and I am still taking in artworks from artist’s to help sell their work before Christmas.  The Pop Up Gallery has exceeded all expectations and the feedback and response has been unbelievable.  My thought’s now are, where can we go from here?”

Penny is hoping to turn the back room of the Cottage aka The Tourist Information Centre into a professional Gallery for smaller solo or group exhibitions for 2016. As for the PopUpGallery, ” It would be nice to keep the space above the NAB, but am keeping all options open.  We have been spoilt by Vince Barbagallo, as he has given us the premise for free for 8 weeks, to keep it financially viable for the artists, we may have to start applying for government funding.  But keep an eye out, as the title suggests, being a PopUpGallery, it may pop up in Millthorpe, Carcoar, Newbridge or any vacant shop front in the shire”.  Current P.U.G is open every day up until 15th January 2016, so go down, support your local artists and buy an original artwork that is very reasonably priced’.