The Drill Hall Studio paints a decade of art
The Drill Hall Studio: how a ruined building became Townsville's art hub
Townsville
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As The Drill Hall Studio marks its 10th anniversary, it stands not merely as an art gallery but as a testament to vision, perseverance, and the power of community.
Located in the historic drill hall in North Ward, the studio has evolved from a dilapidated heritage-listed building into a vibrant hub for local artists and the community.
This transformation was not just about bricks and mortar but was about fostering creativity, community engagement, and supporting local talent.
The journey of The Drill Hall Studio is inextricably linked to its owner, sculptor Sue Tilley, a woman driven by a dream and an unwavering determination to transform a neglected piece of history.
“The building was literally a ruin, and being Heritage listed, no-one had been interested in taking it on,” she told NQ Weekend.
Sue’s passion for heritage and art led her to take on the challenge, and the studio’s opening night ten years ago remains a vivid memory.
“Of course, our opening night is indelibly stamped in my memory as this was the culmination of 18 months hard work restoring the building which was in a tragic state of disrepair when we first took it on, as well as planning and setting up the gallery.
“Visitors were queued six deep at the gate waiting to get in.”
The studio’s evolution over the years has been marked by significant milestones and memorable exhibitions.
From the innovative ‘Patina’ exhibition in 2014, where local artists created artwork from waste materials during the renovation, to the poignant ‘Stand for Ukraine’ art auction in 2022, The Drill Hall Studio has consistently showcased the creativity and generosity of the local art community.
The studio has involved consiserably since its inception with Sue offering a wider range of classes and workshops” day, evening and weekend classes in a wide range of skills and techniques.
She has also encouraging the studio’s resident artists to work on their pieces while in the studio.
“This way visitors can watch an artwork being created and chat to the artist about their inspiration, process and techniques.
“We also now regularly hire out our sculpture garden for private functions like weddings.
“This allows more of our community enjoy the historic building, promotes the artwork and helps fund the upkeep of the building.”
Sue is proud of The Drill Hall Studio’s commitment to promoting local and regional artists.
“We actively promote local artists and artisans.
“They are our focus, and this region has as much talent as anywhere.
“Our group exhibitions are a great way to encourage new and emerging artists to participate and get known.”
This year the studio introduced five new artists via the group exhibition ‘Up North’.
“By including these unknown artists with some of our well-known and loved artists like Heather Byrne and Linda Bates, it ensured that visitor numbers were good, and resulted in sales and exposure for the new artists too.
“Each year we host an exhibition or event to promote and raise funds for local organisations and worthy causes.”
Sue says she is proud to have remained true to her commitment to promote only local and regional artists.
This dedication is evident in the diverse range of classes and workshops offered at the studio, inspired by the talents and ideas of local artists.
Sue has fostered an inclusive environment where artists and participants of all skill levels feel welcome.
“Some galleries are places where you feel you need to whisper and tip-toe and that you are an unworthy intruder. They take themselves too seriously sometimes.
“My dream was to create a welcoming and friendly gallery where everyone feels confident and worthy.
“Partly we achieve this by having the retail gallery and gift store at the entrance.
“People are generally comfortable in this kind of environment, and it encourages people who wouldn’t usually enter a gallery to come in, relax and get to know art.”
The studio’s profound impact on local artists is consistently highlighted.
Sylvia Hewitt, one of the studio’s resident artists, says if it wasn’t for The Drill Hall Studio her art career would have “petered out”.
She credits Sue’s encouragement, particularly to teach classes, recalling Sue saying, “you can do this, it’s easy”.
Syliva says the existence of The Drill Hall Studio helped her to continue with her art practice by having a friendly place to go on a regular basis.
“This has given me a sense of purpose as well as having a place to come together with other artists with whom I can bounce things off of and whom are in the same practice/industry and who I know and trust to be on the same page.”
Before The Drill Hall Studio, Syliva worked in a couple of art supply stores.
“I love explaining to people the What’s, Whys and When’s of art materials .
“I found people always need help with the tools and techniques involved in art, so being able to contribute to workshops and classes has really extended my love of helping to explain what they need to know about their very own art practice.”
Syliva says the studio had a significant iimpact on the local art scene and community.
“The general public and of course the locals have a great apparition of local art, where they can come and brows and also participate in workshops and classes of loads of different mediums.
“We get people from all over the world and Australia who are amazed by the local art and artistry here in Townsville’.
“It is so great to meet and talk to these people when in the studio.”
Fellow resident studio artist Carole Howlett praises the studio for providing the opportunity to display and sell large artworks to the public, and the rewarding experience of viewing her work in a gallery setting.
For Carole, every piece she creates for the gallery holds special significance, as she works in a “slightly expressive way” and can instantly recall her initial reaction which got her hooked in the first place.
She values The Drill Hall’s environment for enabling her to reach a wider audience and make more connections, often leading to valuable feedback from visitors.
Contributing to workshops, Carole finds it deeply satisfying to witness people of various ages, abilities and backgrounds, creating together in a classroom, watching them growing in confidence, proud of their achievements.
She believes Townsville artists are very fortunate to have somewhere like The Drill Hall Studio for exposure and the chance to sell and display our work.
“Townsville has a rich and diverse collection of art and artists.
“We have many visitors to the gallery, both local and from out of town.
“Some come to view the art, some to purchase and some with a keen interest to partake in the many classes and workshops.
“There is literally something for everyone.”
The Drill Hall Studio will celebrate its 10th year anniversary on August 9 and 10
August 09 from 6pm: exhibition of historical photos from Townsville in WWII;a slide show of past resident artists, volunteers, exhibitions, and workshops; introduce current team of artists, tutors and gallery volunteers; talks about the value of art and the studio in the community, live music, and the Unveiling of ‘Vulcan’
August 10, 10am to 3pm: open studio with artists demonstrating; free drop in taster classes and an art market stall.
Go to thedrillhallstudio.as.me/10thAnniversary for more information, and to book for the August 09 celebration event.
Originally published as The Drill Hall Studio paints a decade of art
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