CASM brings tiny treasures to Mandurah this Christmas

Tiny Christmas Treasures, currently at its third edition, is the biggest collective art exhibition the gallery hosts every year.

The exhibition gathers the works of artists across the Mandurah region aged from 6 to 76 years old.

It seeks to spark the interest of visitors in the region’s art while encouraging them to buy affordable locally produced gifts for Christmas.

Moreover, Tiny Christmas Treasures also hopes to give back to the art community by assisting artists in making their work more accessible and affordable to the public.

“Our philosophy is to build the capacity of our artists,” gallery curator Carolyn Marks said.

“Not only in their practical skills but also in their skills for becoming sustainable artists; how to present themselves, how to approach galleries, grant writing, marketing.

“Artists no longer have patrons that go out and do it all for them, now they have to do it themselves.

“And we are not very good at that.”

The 550 articles for sale range from larger items, such as canvases and baskets, to tiny creations such as rings and bracelets.

However, they are all light and easy enough for anyone to transport, they can be taken home straight away and they are all under $300. 

Ms Marks said the exhibition has been good in challenging the artists so far, who had to adapt their works to the exhibition standards.

“It’s been a really good journey,” Ms Marks said.

“Artists had to have a really good think about what it is they are doing, and what they think might be a good retail sellable item as opposed  to the artwork that they normally do or would do for an exhibition.

“It’s been a really great challenge for the artists to try to come up with something fresh and new each year but that would fit in a more retail mould.”

One artist is also invited to the exhibition room every day, to engage with the public and check what impression their work is making in the community.

“It’s lovely for us to have them here taking ownership of the show, rather than CASM putting on the show for them,” Ms Marks said.

Besides the artworks currently on display, the gallery also keeps a number of other pieces in storage, in order to replace items that have been sold.

Curious visitors, would have the opportunity to ask CASM’s team members for a visit to the storage room to check out other items for sale.

Tiny Christmas Treasures will be on display at CASM Wednesday to Sunday,  from 10am to 4pm until December 18.

 EFTPOS facilities are available.