When Serpentine Community Gallery closes its doors next week, it heralds the end of a 15 year chapter in its North Lismore location. But the story does not end there.

Just like in any good fairy tale, the gallery will be transformed into a new, bigger gallery – in a different location, on Conway Street in Lismore’s CBD.

The new gallery space.

Now, gallery volunteers are calling for the community to donate into an appeal to help them move.

Serpentine founding member Corrine (Rin) Batt-Rawdon said it was thanks to a story in the Lismore App that the gallery was thrown a lifeline and given a second chance at life. Read the story: Serpentine Gallery set to close as rental crisis grows

This fairy godmother in this tale is Lifeline’s general manager, Michael Were.

Lifeline

“Michael said he threw us a lifeline and offered us a commercial lease in one of Lifeline’s properties - after reading the article in the Lismore App,” Rin said

“We are signing the lease today at 104 Conway Street, next door to the Lifeline counselling service.

“It’s much bigger than the previous space and we can do more performing and multimedia arts, as well as the traditional program of exhibitions.

“We hope to be able to do life drawing classes as we’ll have more room for tables and easles.

“It opens up the imagination and the team is excited and inspired to expand and cater to a broader range of artists in community.”

The old gallery space.

We need money

Rin said the gallery had set up a fundraising campaign through the Australian Cultural Fund (which provides tax receipt to all donors) - and people can donate money to help with the enormous costs of setting up a new gallery space. Donate here.

“Now only do we have to move everything – like the railings and lights, we need to transform a commercial space into a functions art venue, sealing the floor and painting the gallery," she said.

“We have a goal to reach $8800 by the end of the week - to help with a smooth and slick transition.

"We raised nearly $750 on the first day and we hope to get a quick response.

Last exhibition

“Our last exhibition opening last Friday for the North Lismore Plateau exhibition was big – it was a great send off to a great space that held us for 15 years.

“Now, we are packing up and we hope to be moved into the new space for our New Year’s Eve event fundraiser - a masque ball. It will be a black tie event with champagne and performances.

“We are also getting a special mention in parliament today by Lismore MP Janelle Saffin – for our community engagement over 15 years of working in the arts.

“Now, it will be fantastic to keep the gallery going and set up in a new space.”

Helping community

The Lismore App founder Simon Mumford said stories like this were the whole reason the Lismore App was started.

"The App is here to help the local community and we love sharing your stories - so please keep telling us what's happening, so we can keep people connected," he said.

You can send your stories to simon@lismoreapp.com.au