What an incredible event, and a big thank you and congratulations to everyone who joined us in the gallery! Art to Art is about more than just connecting artworks to walls, it's about community, connection, and celebrating human expression, which is why your incredible presence always means so much...
We celebrated A DECADE of loving art, and pulled out all the stops! With a beautiful gourmet food experience, live music from the groovy Easy Canapé trio, and our amazing sponsor Zonzo Estate pouring their Yarra Valley wines, the night was always set to be a success. Of course we just had to go a step further, sharing some incredible doorprizes! Lucky winners took home a limited edition copy of our new 10 Years of Loving Art book, a collection of our new Art to Art home scents range, a full collection of our Unearthed and Georgie Wilson greeting card packs, a $1,000 Gift Voucher to spend on new art, and an incredible original Joan Blond artwork, valued at $2,600!
With thanks to Anna Gowers from Art Matters, who introduced the night. Her words are below.
"Good evening everyone, and welcome.
It’s wonderful to see so many familiar faces here tonight, alongside those joining us for the first time.
A very warm welcome to all the talented exhibiting artists, the wonderful collectors and supporters and friends of the gallery. And congratulations to everyone who has been part of the Art to Art story over the past ten years.
Tonight is a celebration—not just of a milestone, but of a community built around a shared belief that art matters.
I've always believed that art helps us understand ourselves, and each other.
Long before galleries existed, people were making marks to make meaning. Across thousands of years, art has connected us to place, to memory, to story and to something beyond words.
Today, we live in a world of constant distraction, where so much of our experience is reduced to images we scroll past in seconds.
Which is why standing in front of a work of art—in real life, in real time—feels more important than ever.
Art asks us to slow down. To notice. To be curious. To feel.
Every artwork begins with an artist—someone willing to follow an idea, an instinct or a question, often without knowing exactly where it will lead. That takes courage, and tonight I'd like to acknowledge and congratulate all of the artists exhibiting here. Thank you for continuing to create and for sharing your vision with us.
Supporting local Australian artists has never been more important.
I can't imagine a world where galleries no longer exist and buying art online becomes the norm. A gallery is so much more than a place to buy art. It's where artists are discovered, stories are shared, conversations begin and connections are made.
Every time you choose an original work by an Australian artist, you're investing not only in that artist and their future, but in the future of our creative community.
And that's exactly what Art to Art has been doing for the past ten years.
For a decade, it has championed artists, connected people with art, and created a welcoming space where curiosity, conversation and creativity can flourish.
So to everyone who has helped make that possible—Phil the visionary founder, her wonderful team, the artists, the collectors, the volunteers and other supporters—thank you.
Congratulations on ten wonderful years, and here's to many more."
Art to Art Founder and Gallery Director Philippa Demase also shared a few words of inspiration and thanks;
"I dreamt of the day we’d sell more than one artwork a week. I dreamt of systems that ran seamlessly, processes that worked and a team like the one I have today.
I dreamt of building an impressive stable of up and coming and established artists.
I used to dream that people could find us easily, and simple things like, parking out the front. And for those that had visited our previous gallery, you know what I mean.
What once felt like wishful thinking, has become a reality.
From our very first crude website to the fully functional website we have today, available in 10 currencies and 4 languages.
From representing a handful of artists to now working with an incredible stable of more than 80 artists, from around Australia.
From travelling the country exhibiting at the Affordable Art Fair to finding ourselves here, in this beautiful gallery, where we’ve just celebrated our first year.
Of course, none of this has happened because of one person.
A business like this is never built alone.
It has only been possible because of a small, incredibly hardworking and dedicated team who have believed in the vision and helped bring it to life.
I’d like to acknowledge Erica Gage first. For the past 8 years she has poured absolutely everything into Art to Art. Her commitment, loyalty, attention to detail and care have played a significant role in our growth and success. Quite simply, Art to Art would not be what it is today without her.
Barbara Toth has kept our accounts running like clockwork for the past 5 years, bringing calm, organisation and precision to an area many of us would rather avoid.
Dana Hope, our wonderful Weekend Gallery Manager, welcomes everyone with the biggest smile and makes every visitor feel at home.
And to our past and present University of Melbourne interns - thank you.
We are incredibly grateful for the contribution you’ve made to Art to Art and to Aimee for making that happen.
Building a business isn’t glamorous most of the time. It’s years of turning up, when it feels like nothing is happening. It’s solving problems, you didn’t know existed. It’s making hundreds of tiny decisions, that no one ever sees.
It’s taking risks and stepping outside your comfort zone. But eventually, all of those little decisions, become 10 years. Looking back, these past 10 years have taught me so much.
They’ve taught me patience, because good things take time. The importance of consistency, and determination, especially when things don’t go to plan. But above all, the greatest lesson I’ve learnt is that it’s all about relationships and the care you show people.
To every artist who has trusted us with your work, thank you. We value every one of you and we are so proud to represent you.
To our growing network of interior designers and Trade Access members, it is a privilege to work alongside you, helping bring Australian art into so many beautiful spaces.
To our collectors, thank you for believing in what we do. Every artwork you purchase supports an Australian artist and allows us to continue doing what we love.
To commemorate this milestone, and as a surprise we’ve produced a limited edition of just 50 anniversary books featuring the artists who are part of Art to Art today. Among them are 7 artists who have been with us since the very beginning, and I’d love to invite them to join me now.
Joan Blond, Christine Minter, Charlie MacRae, Ann-Maree Gentile, Liam Lynch, Gina Debinski and Jenny Fusca.
Please accept one of the very first copies of our anniversary book as a small token of our appreciation. Thank you for believing in this little idea 10 years ago and for trusting us on the journey. Your loyalty has meant more than you’ll ever know.
A huge thank you to the wonderful team at Zonzo Estate for so generously supplying tonight’s wines, prosecco, limoncello and spritzers.
To Anna Gowers from Art Matters for MC-ing, and what a lovely full-circle moment it is to reconnect after 25 years.
To Daniela Dona and Sandra Amalfi for your time in creating this delicious spread. Please come up and accept this gift of thanks.
To everyone that has helped tonight - Annabel, Liv, Pearl, Jack, Lova, Bernice, Sophie, and the Art to Art team - thank you.
I’d also like to thank everyone who has travelled to be here, especially those who from interstate. Great effort!
And lastly, to all of you. Whether you’ve purchased an artwork, attended an exhibition, recommended us to someone else or simply cheered us on, you have all played a part in this story.
I stand here tonight, with my hand on my heart, feeling incredibly humbled and grateful to be living this dream. And that is because of every single person in this room. I’m so excited to see what the next 10 years will bring, and I hope you enjoy celebrating this special night with us.
Thank you."
