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44 comments

1. 44 Claire Watson
   Jul 25th, 2008 at 5:27 pm

   Tranquil setting, great coffee, friendly folk, and a diverse array of art for all tastes throughout the year - Cowwarr Art Space is a creative sanctuary.

2. 43 Sally Avery
   Jul 14th, 2008 at 4:17 pm

   A lovely space and visitors are always made to feel welcome with great coffee and a chat. I like to drive via Cowwar to make a change in my drive to/from Melbourne to/from the Lakes. If you love interesting buildings which have had a makeover you’ll love this one! 5 stars!

3. 42 lizn coghlan
   Jul 9th, 2008 at 1:27 pm

   Beautiful old building,
   wonderful sculptures and a most welcoming host.
   2 hours from Melbourne,
   great coffee in magnificent surroundings.

4. 41 jenny toye
   Jul 2nd, 2008 at 12:07 pm

   Great place to stop on the alternative route to Melbourne from East Gippsland, there is always a great art show on the walls or within the gardens and they make great coffee.

5. 40 Cayte Hoppner
   Jun 30th, 2008 at 11:50 am

   The Cowwarr Art Space is fun, vibrant and an absolute local gem. A spot not to miss as you drive through town.

6. 39 Lib McGuire
   Jun 30th, 2008 at 11:16 am

   Fantastic place to visit - their Slow Food events are not to be missed!

7. 38 Di Margetts
   Jun 28th, 2008 at 8:03 pm

   Wonderful building and surrounds. A hidden Gem. People also very welcoming and fascinating to discuss the work and …. well anything.

8. 37 Graeme Horne
   Jun 28th, 2008 at 6:09 pm

   Fanastic atmosphere, a must if your visiting Gippsland!

9. 36 Nigel Cann
   Jun 27th, 2008 at 12:50 pm

   In a word CLIVE. A fascinating man to talk to about his life, his work, and art in general.

10. 35 Bill Claiborne
    Jun 27th, 2008 at 10:55 am

    Architecturally stunning, friendly and welcoming atmosphere, a great gallery with interesting exhibits. All situated in a beautiful country setting.

11. 34 Garry Blair
    Jun 27th, 2008 at 9:58 am

    A truly remarkable place in a idealic setting with two of the most remarkable people as the human interface between art and it’s suroundings.
    Melbourne is only 2 and a half hours from this picturesque little town set at the base of the foothills. A must see.

12. 33 Peter Good
    Jun 27th, 2008 at 9:52 am

    A little piece of the French Provinces in the Victorian Provinces.

13. 32 Helen Holley
    Jun 26th, 2008 at 9:06 pm

    A building well worth visiting to see what creativity and imagination can do to a Butter Factory. Delight in talking to Clive a truely amazing artist. The atmosphere is welcoming and there is good coffee too.

14. 31 Margaret Rawlins
    Jun 26th, 2008 at 8:18 pm

    A beautiful icon in Gippsland. The old butter factory is surrounded by a magical garden especially appearing that way in the evening.
    I will always remember my first visit to an amazing art exhibition at the Art space on a hot summer evening where all my senses were meet.
    Great sculptors by Clive.
    Carolyn & Clive make you feel like good old friends whenever you drop by and love to share their knowledge.

15. 30 Ned
    Jun 26th, 2008 at 6:00 pm

    Cowwarr has a relaxed charm and feel to it that’s hard to merely put into words easily, here’s to trying! It’s truely Australian, though manages to have a somewhat European feel at the same time. A strange combination in rural Gippsland.

    The many sitting areas that abound capture a myriad of differing sunlight throughout the year which bounce of the vast array of sculptures around the gardens. These same areas are ideal for sipping a coffee, pondering or as I like having a beer and a chat with a local or two.

    Well worth a look.

16. 29 Nicola Ferguson
    Jun 26th, 2008 at 5:57 pm

    Cowwarr Art Space is a truly unique cultural experience. It combines the fascination of seeing Clive Murray-White at work sculpting in marble in his studio within the beautiful grounds of the historic Gippsland Butter factory together with the eclectic mix of contemporary art and ceramics exhibitions. You can while away a good couple of hours and enjoy an excellent coffee as you learn more about the Art Space from the knowledgeable proprietors.
    Don’t miss it!

17. 28 pat waters
    Jun 26th, 2008 at 5:31 pm

    For an art experience Cowwarr offers everything, a wonderful gallery in a great historical building, top contemporary exhibitions, artists in residence, a sculpture workshop with incumbent sculptor of note, gardens and serious coffee.
    Not to be missed.

18. 27 Ian Whiteside
    Jun 26th, 2008 at 3:28 pm

    The opportunity to visit Cowwarr Art Space is one not to be missed.
    A pleasant day-trip not too far from the hustle & bustle, but far enough away to enjoy the calm of the beautiful Gippsland countryside, the sympathetic transformation of historic butter factory to todays contemporary art space has been achieved with style & substance, and the building & surrounding gardens (plus wonderful coffee!) are worthy of a visit alone.
    Take a budding young artist (or two) along for the journey & view the current exhibition - be captivated by Carolyn’s knowledge & passion for art - visit Clive at work in the marble sculpture studio and revel in a lifetime of inspiration, a rare chance to peek behind the scenes with one of Australia’s finest.

19. 26 Angela Lynkushka
    Jun 25th, 2008 at 12:10 pm

    A captivating art space offering an extraordinary range of creative activities. The gallery offers artists a generous space with beautiful natural light. An artist-in residency is available and the opportunity to meet one of Australia’s leading sculptors, Clive Murray-White culminates in an unparalleled creative experience.

20. 25 Maria-Luisa Marino
    Jun 13th, 2008 at 6:19 pm

    Cowwarr Art Space is a very unique gallery. The heritage building, contemporary art and beautiful gardens are breathtaking. Carolyn and Clive have created a masterpiece.

21. 24 Geoff Sharman
    Jun 13th, 2008 at 6:00 pm

    Always a friendly atmosphere, great coffee and a good yarn. Beautiful heritage listed building with amazing history throughout the grounds. A favourite place of mine to visit in the Gippsland area. I highly recommend droping in.

22. 23 Kirsty Ellem
    Jun 5th, 2008 at 4:23 pm

    It’s fascinating to see inside a sculpter’s studio and to get to to touch the sculpture!! I love that! Coffee, garden, gallery space and lovely hosts. It’s wonderful.

23. 22 Amelia Stone
    Jun 1st, 2008 at 4:08 pm

    A true Jem in Victoria, amazing art work, great coffee, lovely people with the community of gippsland in the fore front of their activity.
    A must see!

24. 21 J cann
    May 28th, 2008 at 11:22 am

    After having lunch in Rosedale and visiting the Sale gallery we took the family to see the art and sculptures at Cowwarr Art Space and met Clive and Carolyn .We were able to ask about his sculptures and work while he was in the studio. My children enjoyed from the experience and have returned since and had coffee , looked at art works from those exhibiting and those from earlier exhibits. A great drive for the day, warm and accommodating people.

25. 20 Mary Connor
    May 26th, 2008 at 9:41 pm

    Art,archtecture,coffee, Clive, Carolyn,Clive,marble,countryside,cute town,country charm.You wont regret wandering off the beaten track!

26. 19 Fay Abromwich
    May 23rd, 2008 at 11:40 am

    Funky art gallery/space in an incredible building that was once a dairy in the middle of nowhere at Cowwarr. Somewhere between Traralgon and Heyfield. A real magical find in regional Victoria. With great hosts who make one feel so very at home.

27. 18 Peter Van Heerden
    May 23rd, 2008 at 11:39 am

    Great art experience, electric atmosphere, top people.

28. 17 Brian Burleigh
    May 22nd, 2008 at 9:38 pm

    Always presents a thought-provoking exhibition, and welcoming hospitality.

29. 16 Chris Caulfield
    May 22nd, 2008 at 8:38 pm

    Peaceful, intimate and friendly- beautiful building, great coffee and interesting art. Take a day trip from Melbourne and take your time browsing- it’s worth it!

30. 15 Lorraine Benn
    May 22nd, 2008 at 7:29 pm

    Cowwarr Art Space is more than an art gallery, it is a lovely building (former butter factory) renovated to suit its use as a gallery. If you go there, you must see Clive Murray-White’s sculpture studio, with its huge slabs of marble being sculpted into heads, faces and other forms. There is plenty of room to sit and relax, and new art exhibits on a regular basis. Clive and Carolyn are always hospitable, and the Art Space is one of the great places of Gippsland.

31. 14 Claudia Frew
    May 22nd, 2008 at 7:14 pm

    Great gallery, high level Art that wouldn’t be
    out of place anywhere. Clive Murray-White has made a significant
    contribution to Australian sculpture, particularly challenging the way
    Australians think about art.

32. 13 Chayle Timbs
    May 22nd, 2008 at 7:11 pm

    What a gem! Cowwarr Art Space is not only a
    heritage pise architectural delight, it also shows high quality art work by
    major artists. All this, set in rolling fields dotted with milking cows and
    a view of snow capped mountains. We pulled off the highway on the way to
    Lakes Entrance and fell in love with the Art Space! What a warm reception
    and great coffee. How often do you have the opportunity to visit the studio
    of one of Australia’s major sculptors, Clive Murray White? We intend being
    ‘regulars’ at the Art Space.

33. 12 RoseHarbridge
    May 22nd, 2008 at 1:49 pm

    Wherever I happen to be living, I always have a favourite itinerary for visitors to my ‘patch’, and since the Latrobe Valley has been my patch, the Cowwarr Art Space has been a ‘must’ on that itinerary. My visitors are always delighted with the old Butter Factory, and the welcome we get from the proprietors. Their knowledge of the works in their current exhibition, of the history and artisitic points of interest in the building, coupled with Clive’s willingness to ’show and tell’ about his (very impressive) work in the sculture studio is a treat not to be missed. In addtion to the regularly changing exhibitions, there is an opportunity to see (and buy!) some of the works of local Toongabbie potter Peter Reis. Sipping great coffee, and lounging in the very comfy armchairs in the bay windows of the factory/gallery is always a welome stop on a busy day of sightseeing. To follow my full “MacMillan Highway intinerary” include a stop at Narkoojie Winery in Glengarry, and Peter Reis’ pottery at Toongabbie.

34. 11 Sarah Bardsley
    May 22nd, 2008 at 12:08 pm

    Really enjoyed the atmosphere and the art exhibit and meeting the resident sculptor Clive and owner Carolyn - it’s a wonderful place and well worth a visit. And I agree the coffee is great.
    Easy drive from Melbourne and well worth the effort!

35. 10 Catherine Larkins
    May 22nd, 2008 at 11:46 am

    A remarkable and iconic architectural Art Space. The old butter factory precinct is embued with the rich history of the Gippsland area as well as an impressive calender of contemporary art exbitions. Clive and Carolyn are highly regarded in the art world and delightful hosts to all who travel on Gippslands alternate scenic route through Cowwarr.

36. 9 Jo Walsh
    May 22nd, 2008 at 11:23 am

    A pleasant surprise to break an afternoon drive, Cowwarr is a charming day out. The Art Space brings the wordliness of many art streams to a sleepy town. It is a gift to rural life, where one can visit anything from installations to alternate live performance and workshops. The exhibitions are of a consistently high standard, including rural, metropolitan, travelling and in-residence artists. Within this exquisite architectural space, the volumous acoustic atmosphere and rustic class are immediately inviting. Visitors will enjoy Cowwarr’s offerings - gratified locals frequently do.

37. 8 Feelix
    May 22nd, 2008 at 11:22 am

    A great place with a warm welcome and certainly worth a visit for everyone..

38. 7 Brendon Taylor
    May 22nd, 2008 at 8:47 am

    Cowwarr Art Space is a fantastic place. It’s like you have been transported to a different world. The beautifully restored butter factory, now a gallery space, is very inviting. You couldn’t find more friendly people than Clive and Carolyn and they are only too willing to part with their knowlage and experience.

39. 6 Tara Smith
    May 22nd, 2008 at 8:42 am

    Beautiful surrounds, lovely atmosphere, fantastic and interesting art. Great people, always welcoming. One of the gems of gippsland.

40. 5 Leanora Olmi
    May 22nd, 2008 at 3:44 am

    A beautiful gallery and working art space. Cowwarr is a must-see. Its varied and rich program of exhibitions and warm welcome make it a definite stop every time I’m in the area.

41. 4 Neil Stanyer
    May 22nd, 2008 at 12:07 am

    an unique exhibition space showing engaging art hosted by knowlegable people with a passion for the arts. Great coffee is avaliable (a real bonus!) in a wonderfully ambient environment.

42. 3 Jan Roberts
    May 21st, 2008 at 11:02 pm

    A fantastic old building and grounds that are home to an ever-changing array of contemporary art.

43. 2 Anton Vardy
    May 21st, 2008 at 9:29 am

    A great contemporary art space in a picturesque location. Good coffee and a range of exhibitions and performing arts. Well worth a look.

44. 1 Ann Andrew
    May 20th, 2008 at 9:00 am

    a wonderful old building charmingly restored as a gallery by delightful people, and it is a privilege to chat to Clive and see his amazing work.