An Albury artist has found an accommodating way to fulfil her art gallery dream.
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Anne Hayward has launched Cullalo Arthouse, an Airbnb property in East Albury whose walls also showcase works for sale, both her own and paintings by other Border artists.
Having planned for some time to offer the large brick house for accommodation, Hayward began hanging paintings inside and "thought it looked fantastic".
The idea to expand this soon followed and she decided to invite other artists to contribute works.
"Which is what I started to do, and their artwork looked better than mine!" she said with a laugh.
The house also includes special pieces not for sale.
Hayward said she aimed for an eclectic collection and planned to change the exhibits several times a year, with various open days allowing public viewings.
"I think there's more opportunity for people to look at art if they're going to be sitting amongst it (than) sometimes going into a gallery where they don't see it in a home situation," she said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Albury Wodonga Apartments will handle the accommodation element of Cullalo Arthouse and director Jane Evans admits she hadn't fully understood the art gallery concept at first.
"It wasn't until I viewed it upon completion that I was blown away," Mrs Evans said.
"The artworks are just stunning and it's not just hers, she's supporting other local artists as well.
"This seems to be an emerging trend with Airbnb to create a certain niche and something a bit different for guests.
"I think travellers in general are getting quite savvy and they know that they want something a little bit different to your standard hotel room these days."
Hayward said the house launch last Sunday exceeded her expectations.
"We had a good crowd coming through," she said.
"I've had inquiries from a couple of artists that came through who are interested in exhibiting."
A new security system and careful administration will help protect the artwork and the house is already booked for its first month.
Unusually in this year, the COVID-19 pandemic did not delay the project.
"No, to be quite honest, the opposite," Hayward said.
"It gave me the focus to get it going much quicker.
"I love the art side of it so it's an opportunity for me to be expressing myself by running an art gallery.
"I've always wanted to run an art gallery so this is a way to do it."