Sherbrooke Art Gallery is a community-run gallery at the edge of Sherbrooke Forest in Belgrave. Home to the Sherbrooke Art Society, it presents changing exhibitions and original works for sale in a building that began life as the Red Mill Tea Rooms in the 1920s. It is an inviting indoor stop for a gallery browse, a locally made gift or a closer look at the ranges’ arts community.
Art, exhibitions and the gallery shop
The displays bring together traditional and contemporary work, including paintings, drawings and handmade pieces. A changing selection makes repeat visits worthwhile: the subjects, media and artists on display can differ between exhibitions. Walk through once to get a sense of the show, then return to works that catch your eye rather than trying to study every piece equally.
Many works can be purchased, and the gallery shop extends the selection to smaller art and gift items. If you are buying an original piece, ask about framing, collection and packing before deciding. A work seen online may not still be available, so contact the gallery first if a particular purchase is the main reason for your trip.
The society and its historic setting
Sherbrooke Art Society was established in November 1966 by local artist Jack Montgomery and has developed a community of artists around exhibitions, tuition and shared activities. Members’ shows and themed exhibitions give visitors a way to see local practice alongside work by visiting artists. Exhibition openings and special activities follow their own programme.
The former tea-room building adds another layer to a visit. It later operated as the Moulin Rouge Gallery before the society took a lease in 1971 and eventually bought the property, and the forest-edge location connects it with Belgrave’s long history as a place for outings into the hills. Leave a little time to appreciate the setting as well as the artwork, especially if combining it with a nearby forest visit.
Classes, workshops and learning to draw
Classes cover oil and acrylic painting, watercolour, beginner drawing and untutored life drawing, with options for beginners and more experienced artists. Some courses pause between terms, so check current enrolment dates and places. An untutored session provides time with a subject or model rather than a structured lesson from a teacher.
Classes need separate enrolment and have fees and term schedules of their own. Check the tutor’s entry level, materials requirements and number of sessions before booking. A gallery browse is a useful introduction to the society, but it does not automatically include a class or demonstration. Ask about an appropriate starting course if you have not studied art before.
Opening hours and visiting Belgrave
Regular gallery opening is Friday to Monday from 11am to 3pm, at 62 Monbulk Road, Belgrave. Confirm any arrangements outside that window directly. Allow around 20 to 40 minutes for a casual browse, or longer to study the exhibition and discuss a purchase.
General gallery entry is free; artwork and classes cost extra. Call (03) 9754 4264 or email info@sherbrookeartsociety.com.au for enquiries. If you need step-free access or are bringing a group, ask about the layout and suitable visiting arrangements before travelling. Leave time to reach the gallery from central Belgrave rather than assuming it is inside the main shopping strip.
Sherbrooke Art Gallery FAQs
When can I visit the gallery?
Normal public opening is Friday-Monday, 11am-3pm, at 62 Monbulk Road, Belgrave. Allow 20-40 minutes for a casual browse, with extra time for a purchase conversation, and contact the gallery about arrangements outside that window.
What does entry cost?
General gallery entry is free, while classes, workshops and artworks are separately priced. A browse can introduce the society and its changing exhibitions without committing to tuition or a purchase.
What kind of art is on display?
Changing exhibitions bring together local and regional artists across traditional and contemporary work. Look through the show once before returning to pieces that interest you, and read any introduction or labels for the context behind unfamiliar subjects or media.
Can I purchase an original work?
Many displayed pieces and gallery-shop items are for sale. Ask about framing, packing and collection before buying, and confirm availability if travelling for a particular work seen online rather than assuming it is still on display.
Are there beginner classes?
The programme includes beginner options as well as classes for developing artists, with media and schedules varying by tutor and term. Confirm a place, materials and fees before attending; untutored life drawing is a practice session rather than a structured beginner lesson.
What is the building's history?
The gallery occupies the former Red Mill Tea Rooms, a 1920s building that later became the Moulin Rouge Gallery. The society leased it in 1971 before buying the property, giving a gallery visit a connection with Belgrave's earlier forest outings and local arts history.
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