Once you get to the top of the stairs you will become curiouser and curiouser.
Pass through the door and tumble down the rabbit hole into Ipswich’s newest creative space ATELIER.
ATELIER is an Alice In Wonderland inspired studio of world renowned contemporary fine art artist Starr.
Starr has found a home above where Gemutlich use to be on the corner of Ellensborough and Brisbane Street after COVID-19 threw her year into disarray.
“I had art exhibitions due to open in Paris, New York and Sydney along with Red Hill Gallery in Brisbane,” Starr said.
“When the overseas exhibitions were then postponed, I decided to have an adventure of my own.
“I would never have done this if covid had not happened.”
Starr searched for the perfect space that was close to home and when she walked into her current space at the Top of Town, she knew it was a perfect fit for her style.
“Where else but Ipswich can you find a beautiful space like this in an old building from the 1860s?” She said.
“Alice in Wonderland is recurrent series I paint and I couldn’t imagine putting that in a new sterile building and I don’t like the rat race.”
Starr brings Alice into modern day settings, scrolling through her phone or taking pictures while wandering around Wonderland.
Starr’s works have energetic pops of colour as does her ATELIER where she sells her canvas artwork alongside her hand painted pottery and ceramics and wearable art clutches.
“I am having an open day on the first Saturday of each month from 10am until 2pm,” she said.
“People can come up, have some pink artisan punch or a classic English tea and check it out.”
The ATELIER has lots of locally sourced plants dotted around among the paintings combining Starr’s love of nature with her artwork.
“I like things to evolve and grow in time,” she said.
“The plants have room to grow into and I plan to add a water feature and some hanging chairs.
“Moving into the Ipswich community has been lovely, I have never received as many beautiful comments as I have in Ipswich.
“Hopefully having people like me take a chance on beautiful Ipswich will help attract others.”
ATELIER is located at 126 Brisbane Street, Shop 12 which is upstairs, Ipswich (entrance via Ellenborough Street)
The next open day is on Saturday, 3 October from 10am until 2pm and Starr will be painting live.
Due to current coronavirus guidelines, only 10 people are allowed into the space at one time.
The ATELIER is available to open at other times only by appointment.