Jessica Micallef
The gallery rooms at The Old Railway Station Lancefield are back open for business.
Owner Cherie Goodson spent seven weeks during the COVID-19 lockdown period, making over one of the three gallery rooms on the site.
“I stripped the main room of its wallpaper, repainted it and redid the whole room,” she said.
“No matter how lovely the wallpaper was when it was put up, it dates.
“It doesn’t improve with age especially when you have had lots of people brushing up against the walls.
“It was a big project. It is a big room and the ceilings are 12 to 14 feet high.”
The Old Railway Station, which now comprises of three gallery rooms, a cafe and a B&B, was closed for three months due to strict coronavirus restrictions.
“It was closed to everyone. I literally shut the door and stayed inside and kept everybody out,” Ms Goodson said.
“The closure had a big effect. We know our figures and … there was no income here at all.”
Ms Goodson reopened her site to B&B guests about three weeks ago and has already received a positive response from the community.
“People are already booking ahead with the B&B and people are wanting to come back to the cafe and gallery,” she said.
The site’s cafe and gallery reopened last Friday, displaying artwork from Woodend Art Group’s secretary Margaret Morgan Watkins.
“I happen to be a huge fan of her artwork,” Ms Goodson said.
“She diversifies remarkably well. She paints, uses watercolours and does anything in every type of medium possible.
“But I am looking for more diversified things for the gallery such as pottery and woodwork.”
The gallery is open Friday through to Monday, between 11am-4pm at 42 Main Road, Lancefield.
Visitors are urged to book before visiting the gallery.
Bookings and information: 0408 994 099
