FLOWA: dive in and pop up

FLOWA: dive in and pop up

This time last year I was approaching the end of my degree and considering how I would build on it, developing my art practice outside the institution. I did know that I wanted to return my creative focus to printmaking which I'd majored in during the TAFE diploma which led me to university. I also knew I wanted to work alongside others and to try and maintain some structure in the transition from study to finding employment.

When June and my final assessments arrived, a conversation with Matthew, now part of the relocated studio, led me to visit a pop-up in Centreway Arcade where a group of glass artists from Tin Shed Studios were occupying one of several empty shops. They were both generous and enthusiastic in sharing information about the arcade, their agreement and a contact to make my own enquiry. And FLOWA happened - quickly.

The four of us - Janine Shields, Steffi Kelly, Sabrina Gibson and I - had worked alongside each other in the TAFE printmaking studio and between us we had a good range of equipment and supplies. It was a double shopfront we moved into, previously a cafe, and the kitchen with its double sink was ideal for using the space as a high volume working studio. The entrance was an ideal area to arrange individual work stations with a large trestle to share and a small etching press and screen printing jig in the centre, and ample storage cupboards along the back wall. It opened to the right into an area which could be devoted entirely to display, and the whole was exposed with glass frontage opposite the carpark entrance. It was perfect!

Day 1: view of the studio area from the entrance with some work beginning.

In the matter of days between the initial enquiry to moving in we'd brainstormed a list of ideas we could trial, decided on a name, whipped up a logo and threw together a Facebook page. But ultimately, we went in and made art, aware the space was ours only in the short term.

Working in full public view took a little time to relax into, but the deliberate layout guiding visitors first into the studio area drew interest as pure curiosity ("What is this?"), people wanting to share their creative interests and others seeking small commissions. While printmaking was the primary activity, we displayed and worked in other media, too, selling enough to cover our running costs and spend on coffee at The Kiosk two shops down.

 The working process up close: Stef's work station as seen by passers by.

Our agreement ran through July, and with no prospective tenant, was extended through August, and then September before we needed to vacate. By this time we'd established a small group of regular visitors and had engaged in conversation with a good cross section of the public, giving us some sense of what interested them and a platform for further directions. Janine and I especially felt ready to find a new studio space and we began to scout around for a place to relocate and develop around the FLOWA studio concept.

The short-term nature of a pop-up from our point of view both offered us a space to work and exhibit with maximum control but without the planning lengthy commitments require. We could trial our ideas as they arrived spontaneously and quickly receive feedback from people who didn't heavily associate themselves with art. The time factor also led us to take risks, to just dive in and work things out as we went along, and to make whatever we could without thinking too much about outcomes.

The gallery section from the arcade street.

On a personal note, the original FLOWA studio experience helped me look at different paths I could take as an artist and build enough confidence to begin Messy Press with the new FLOWA studio as its base. Janine and I now share the space with Matthew Dames overlooking St John Street from an old bay window. It's a different environment with new structures evolving, but we are still open to visitors and will be around much longer.

Some points we learned which might be useful if you're ever considering a pop-up:

• The strengths and limitations of the space will depend on where and how it is situated. The arcade was heated over winter and secured with an alarm system throughout. However, the arcade was inaccessible during certain hours, and trading was restricted between specific hours on specific days.
• Terms of agreement will vary. Our financial obligation for use of the premises was limited to electricity, but other costs could apply depending on the property owner.
• Insurance is necessary. Public liability and glass are a basic must, and personal property might be added depending on the value of items and the level of security the premises has.
• Parking fees were our huge oversight. HUGE. Locate good parking spaces and look at transport alternatives.