(Art Aspects Gallery) “The previous owners were Trudi and Arnie and they started here, they do the glass etching and after seven years they wanted to retire. I had an accident where I couldn’t work for three months and this came up. I thought what a wonderful opportunity! much easier than working as a landscape gardener or home care which is what I was doing. My background was Floristry where I worked for 15 years in Melbourne but I needed a tree change.
The first day we opened the gallery again was my birthday so I feel it was meant to be and it just took off. It is mostly local artists work from Grafton to Maleny and we also go to exhibitions and markets. People come in with their works as well. We know all the artists around here and it’s great.
I’ve been on The Northern Rivers though since 96 and what I love about the area is people can express themselves, there is enough room, there’s a bit of craziness, people don’t judge each other. It’s wonderful, it’s colourful, there’s lots happening these days. Lismore in the 90’s was a small town but now it has become really multicultural and exciting and many things happening and so much creativity.
Actually this area reminds me of where I grew up in Switzerland! I’m a country girl and this looks similar to where I grew up, it’s green, it has cows and daisies, it’s hilly, we are much closer to the sea which makes it very attractive, I love the beach, the rainforest. I’m a passionate reforestation person. Always have been involved where I lived and where I live now in Cawongla. It’s my passion, It’s very rewarding after 10 years when we created the rainforest here and the birds are coming back and the wallabies and everything.
Cawongla by the way has the best pizzas in town. The girls make everything from scratch and they are definitely the best pizzas.”
Art Aspects Gallery is 104 Woodlark St, Lismore.