Alexandra Lawson Gallery hands over Rivers building to Lasso

A new chapter is unfolding for the old Rivers building on Ruthven Street with several Toowoomba artists taking over the space to showcase local talent.

ART SCENE: Local artists Rhi Johnson (left) and Monica Usher will officially open their joint exhibition, Below The Surface at Lasso Gallery this Friday night. It will be the final Alexandra Lawson Gallery lead exhibition in the space before artist lead initiative, Lasso Gallery take over running the space. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The walls of the Alexandra Lawson Gallery in the old Rivers building have been transformed for one last exhibition before the building is handed over to new artist-led initiative, Lasso Gallery.

Toowoomba art curator, dealer and facilitator Ms Lawson said the Walton Stores space would continue to be a studio, transforming to an artist-run gallery led by several local artists with big plans for the building.

Dr Alexandra Lawson. Picture: Nev Madsen

“Below the Surface by Rhi Johnson and Monica Usher will be the final exhibition for ALG in the Rivers building, but it’s certainly not even close to the end of local art in this beautiful space,” she said.

“I have great faith the team behind Lasso is going to do great things here while ALG continues to focus on representing and showcasing artists from Toowoomba and beyond in new and exciting ways.”

One of the eight resident artists behind Lasso, David Usher, said the gallery would continue to support regional artists through monthly large-group scale exhibitions.

“We’re looking forward to offering Toowoomba artists a place to showcase their work and for the community to get behind and support the local arts scene,” he said.

Rhi Johnson and Monica Usher’s exhibition Below the Surface officially opens this Friday at 6pm with drinks and artist talks at Lasso Gallery, 482 Ruthven Street.

It will run until July 24.