A home for artists, students, designers, art buyers and lovers of good company, the Studio 124 Collective continues to surprise and impress as it celebrates its first anniversary.
It’s the type of place you walk in to and feel instantly welcome. It could be the beautiful window display of art or unique homewares and international antiques that reflect the individual creatives who make up the Collective. Most certainly due to the warm smile and friendly offer of a Studio tour from the woman behind the vision for Mosman Park’s Studio 124 Collective.
Artistic director Cher van Schouwen has enjoyed an incredible journey as an artist for the past 18 years and teaching in Australia for eight years.
“I have always believed that sharing ideas as an artist with other creatives can only keep our intent fresh and outlook on life humble,” says Cher.
With a vision to provide a beautiful place for her students to foster further discussions and develop friendships before and after class, Cher put into plan a communal workspace where everyone feels involved and welcome to experience, first hand, art in the making.
That workspace was found at 124 Wellington Street, where a picturesque central courtyard filled with lush greenery and a tranquil pond forms the backdrop to opportunities for socialising and collaboration amongst artists, customers, clients and passersby. It is home to other like-minded creative professionals that share the same ethos of integrity, enthusiasm and service excellence.
“I contacted Nick from Claremont Art Framers and Hilary and Holly from HC Interiors, and their immediate response was “YES!” I’ve found that when ones intentions are clear everything else falls into place – we feel so lucky to greet each other each day.
“The next step was to invite Richard from Birds Of Passage to join our Collective and Cecilia from Mila Jasmine Flowers to weave her floral magic throughout.”
So what is the winning formula for successful business owners sharing a space?
“The synergy within our Collective works so well because everything is done with a mutual love for what we each do, and a healthy respect for eachothers’ businesses. Positive cooperation is paramount,” explains Cher.
It’s only natural for a space this uplifting and with people so genuine to have received only positive feedback from the community. Offering a beautiful place to soak up, without any particular reason, the Collective is a decompression zone of sorts where everyone is most welcome.
“The other day a doctor in her scrubs ran in for a quick look to see what we were about. She got to the courtyard where the music quietly filled her soul, and she re-entered my the studio with a tear in her eye and thanked me.”
Not ones to sit still, the group has big plans for 2016 with Cher looking to offer an annual art retreat encompassing yoga, charcoal life drawing, market shopping, wine and food, as well as a possible expansion to design a gallery space in the South West.
HC Interiors is currently designing two new modern cafes in Subiaco, and decorating a gorgeous Hamptons-style beachfront home in Cottesloe as well as a rustic farmstead down south. The mother-daughter duo is also assisting Claremont Art Framers in the redesign of its Leura Avenue gallery space.
Birds of Passage has just recently completed a hugely successful 50 percent off mid-year sale where customers came down to meet the team, enjoyed a wine under the wisteria and perused the beautiful wares.
Be sure to take the time to check out this absolute gem – experience the buzz of creativity and excitement of a brand new day as doors are opened, flowers are arranged, painting buckets are filled and coffee is shared with neighbouring businesses and passersby.
contemporaryau.com, 1 July 2016
Photography: Zach Taylor Photography