The art of restoration

An exhibition celebrating the restoration progress of one of Australia’s oldest ships will open free to the public at Docklands’ Shed 2 on April 20.

The exhibition will showcase work by regular Docklands visitor and artist Maggie Cowling.

Over the past 18 months Ms Cowling has been painting the Alma Doepel as the ship’s restoration progressed (right).

The official opening of the exhibition will be held at North Wharf’s Shed 2 on Friday, April 20 at 6pm.

The exhibition will be open from 10am until 4 pm on April 21, 22, 26, 27, 28 and 29 and will coincide with a heritage open day and a visit from the bark Endeavour.

“My exhibition will be held upstairs at the Docklands Ocean Education Centre but I will also be projecting images of my sketches and paintings downstairs on a screen for those who can’t get up the stairs,” Ms Cowling said.

Ms Cowling will exhibit paintings and sketches of all the work that has been going on around the ship and some of her paintings will be available for purchase.

“Most of the drawings are of the ship but also of the workers,” she said. “There’s a nice one of the shed with the Bolte Bridge in the background.”

Ms Cowling will also hold two painting workshops that will cater to all levels of artistic ability.

“The painting workshops I’m holding will fund the exhibition,” Ms Cowling said.

Since she began painting and sketching the ship, Ms Cowling has met volunteers from all around Melbourne and has fallen in love with Docklands’ North Wharf.

For more information and bookings call Maggie on 0438 298 741 or email: [email protected]

“When I first started painting here it was to get a feel for the Docklands,” she said.

“My partner and I came across the Alma when we were out walking along the North Wharf and I decided it looked like something I wanted to paint.”

“Now I try and get down there once a week because it has become like a refuge for me.”

Ms Cowling said she felt painting the Alma Doepel had become “an escape”.

“There is quite a friendly atmosphere amongst the volunteers as they work towards a common goal,” she said. “I find them very inspiring people and they’re all so devoted to this job.”

Some proceeds from Ms Cowling’s exhibition will be donated to the Alma Doepel Restoration Fund.