20 Years with Artworx
Afternoon Weather – Goolwa | by Mike Barr
Oil on Canvas | 150 cm x 100 cm
20 Years with Artworx
2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Artworx Gallery & Gifts. I have been fortunate enough, along with others, to be there from the start. Many other artists have and still do show at this special gallery including my artist wife Tina.
The pioneer owners Wendy and Steven Middleton found me on eBay and got in touch about joining the new gallery. It was my first experience with a gallery of any sort, and I was thrilled. I know there are a number or artists that got their start in the gallery-world with Artworx.
Artworx is not just a place where many of us started, there have always been artistic giants at the gallery too. World-class painters like Tom O’Callaghan, John Lacey, David Chen and Lorraine Lewitska, still grace the walls of the gallery and the rest of us have grown up and been inspired by these unique Australian masters.
My own work has evolved from beachscapes and sandhills to other subjects and particularly rainy city cityscapes. Over the years artists often find that they progress to subjects that they may not have imagined early on in their careers.
Goolwa has always been one of my popular painting subjects, both the serenity of the river and the amazing expanse of the beach. As an artist and an enthusiast of this part of the world, it makes sense to paint what you love and the river and beach at Goolwa have their own unique feel.
With an ever-growing number of artists in the world it is a must to be able to stand out and to challenge ourselves to make paintings that connect – not always an easy thing to do. The main thing is that we have our own distinct voice, which can take some time to develop.
Artworx is still evolving too. With subsequent owners Liz and John and now Belinda and Steve, who each have built on previous successes have managed to add their own voice and flavour to the gallery. As Belinda recently told me, they regard themselves as caretakes of that which started 20 years ago. Today, Artwork has a dedicated band of helpers including Liz, previous owner who still loves the gallery, Chris, enthusiasm embodied and just joined Rojina. The gallery is in good hands!
It would be true to say that Artworx has become an institution at Goolwa and a visit to the district is hardly complete without popping into the ever-changing gallery. As I have often heard said, there is something for everyone at Artworx and it’s most certainly true.