The Clunes community celebrated history and art at the site of the old school last weekend.
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The historic site hosted a range of events, including art galleries and a museum exhibition opening.
The site at 70 Bailey Street, Clunes, was once a factory, then a school and has recently been developed into a community and arts precinct.
Clunes Bottle Museum vice-president Jan Turner said the weekend’s events celebrated the history of the building and the town.
“History is important,” she said.
“If you don’t know history you can’t decide the future.
“That’s why I work as a volunteer at the museum.”
The new Hall of Industry display at the Clunes Bottle Museum was opened last Saturday.
The display features two original knitting machines which operated in the building during its time as a knitting factory.
Ms Turner said the new display was about preserving the significance of the building.
“Visiting the building and the bottle museum is a learning experience,” she said.
The collection of bottles at the museum is considered to be the largest of its kind on public display in Australia, with over 6,000 in the collection. Many bottles are rare and one-of-a kind, and average around 100 years old.
Primary school students opened the time capsule which had been housed at 70 Bailey Street for 10 years as part of the event.
Neighbourhood House manager Lana DeKort said there is an old school feel about the building.
“This event takes the story full circle,” she said.
An art exhibition featuring 66 pieces celebrated local artists as a part of the Tiny Town Arts Trail.
Artist and Neighbourhood House committee member Tom Rippon exhibited his art in the old factory lunchroom building.
Mr Ripon has been involved in the Makers Space project which focuses on place-making in Clunes through art.
He said he first saw the space at 70 Bailey Street when it was being remodeled and felt passionate about preserving it’s history while creating a community hub.
“I have been creating wire sculptured flowers for the playground,” he said.
“There are plenty of spaces around town and they can be transformed to spaces of significance through art.”
The Makers Space project has attracted local artists including the Clunes Art Group to work within the precinct at 70 Bailey Street, as well as internationally recognised artists.
The project team are currently raising funds to convert shipping containers to spaces for visiting and resident artists to work.
Work to the current precinct has seen the construction of a playground and the planting of trees and garden beds.
Neighbourhood House manager Lana DeKort said community volunteers and school children completed most of the work done around the old school site.