On Thursday with Gary & Anna we visited Monsalvat, located close to where I live in Eltham. Monsalvat is a sprawling mixture of buildings set on 12 acres in an idyllic setting. Artist and architect Justin Jorgensen together with a dedicated group of volunteers purchased the land in 1934 with a view to establishing an artist’s colony of painters, sculptors, poets and musicians. Building materials used were rescued from old beautiful buildings being demolished in Melbourne to make way for modernization, locally produced mud bricks, rammed earth, mud stone, bush timbers and slate flooring combined with beautifully crafted stained glass windows. The artists operated a dairy and a small farm so that the community was largely self sufficient.
Many of the descendants of the original community today inhabit the adjoining cottages as sculptor’s painters and musicians. The appearance resemembles a European Castle with its adjoining chapel and surrounded by artist’s residences; once stables and storehouses.
The picture is of Gary and myself outside the castle and below are other pictures of adjoining buildings.
10 comments:
It's good to find you again on Blogger Lindsay, and I have you on my roll. It's been some time!
The place looks fantastic.
Thank you for being such wonderful hosts. Anna and I are moving into Monsalvat next month. She as a fabric artist and me as a storyteller and wine drinker. And it's all because you took us for that visit! :) Okay, just kidding, except for the bit about wonderful hosting.
heyy! i know gary! *waves*
that looks like an awesome place. although i can imagine the sculptors banging on the walls trying to convince the musicians next door to *please* turn down the volume.
I am just incredible jealous, that's all I have to say today. But by all means enjoy the stay!
Hi Michael, Mercutio, Gary, Sera & Zee
We have enjoyed both our time with Gary & Anna and visiting places like Monsalvat which always has fresh displays of interesting artwork. Monsalvat is usually quiet, except for the shrill calls of roaming peacocks in their sartorial splendor.
Sera- I guess the inhabitants also have to put up with concerts in the castle or weddings in the great hall - but the music is of the classical kind were they don’t use amplification.
Best wishes
How nice. I'm reminded of Tolkien's beautiful cities described in the Lord of the Rings books. If Gary and Anna are moving there perhaps they can find us a cottage too.
this looks familiar.... i think you might have posted about it some time ago? i could live in a place like that..... i'll just move in with my harp and my loom and a few sarongs, a hat and a pair of sandals.
well hello world traveller! good to be in your cyber company
Hi Susan, Gfid & Nazli
Thanks also for your cyber company - I am sure your collective talents would be appreciated there too!
Best wishes
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