Northern Beaches Gallery

Seven years ago, Beaches art lover Wayne Devenny and his wife Donna Maree, an excellent artist herself, saw the opportunity to give the peninsula’s relatively unknown artists a true gallery to exhibit their artworks and start building their careers, while also satiating the appetite of local art lovers to keep abreast of the abundant local talent, and support their work. 

“A lot of art galleries back in the day would only hang established artists,” says Wayne. “Then a great site across the road from my alma mater Cromer High School became available, so we went for it, opening a gallery for local artists.”

Opening a new business is always a huge challenge, especially so in the arts realm where formalities and established modes of operation are heavily engrained, but Wayne and Donna knew from their first exhibition they were on the right track. 

“The response from the public and artists was amazing,” says Wayne. “We kept getting comments like, thank you so much for showing local artists, thanks for giving artists a place to exhibit their artworks. The smiles on the artists’ and collectors’ faces told us we were onto something special and commercially viable.”

How exactly does one curate an art gallery? “We are contacted by artists who would like to exhibit their artworks,” says Wayne. “This is where the fun begins as we have to see it in person and make sure the quality is there, as well as see how the artist feels about Northern Beaches Gallery and if they will be a good fit with the rest of the artist family we represent.” 

Sometimes hard conversations must be had when the fit isn’t quite right, but “we always encourage artists to continue their passion and come back and see us again.” 

In times of tough economic conditions, which many are experiencing at the moment, making a living as an artist, as well as being able to afford artwork, can become out of reach, but a foundation of Northern Beaches Gallery is providing exceptional art at affordable prices. 

“There’s not a lot of disposable income out there at the moment but to be able to have an original quality artwork in your home is something we aim to provide to all art lovers at all times.”

Following the Tawny into the timeless art of print media, Northern Beaches Gallery now produce a quarterly magazine, their Art & Style publication, with issue two out now at Beaches hubs of all sorts. “This is a natural extension of the gallery,” says Wayne. 

“Profiling and showcasing talented local artists, we’re always striving to keep the community up to date with the latest arts scene news and developments, and to remind locals that if they are looking to add a meaningful, decorative touch to their home, office, gym, yoga studio, brewery, workshop, school, aged care facility, veterinarian’s waiting room, Brooky Oval changerooms, anywhere that’s enhanced with creative inspiration, they can do so while also supporting local artists.”