The Schaller Studio x Toni Maticevski
THE SCHALLER STUDIO, BENDIGO
Corner of Lucan and Bayne Street, VIC 3550
Website: Click HERE
Phone: 1800 278 468
As I was packing my overnight bag and thinking about going to Bendigo the next day, the wildest idea popped into my mind. I wondered, would it be possible to get to Bendigo via helicopter?
After a quick google search, being placed on hold to then be disconnected, and then calling a different number and speaking to a nice person, I found out yes, yes you can.
What would normally be either a two hour car ride, or a two-ish hour train ride, or a nine hour bike ride from Melbourne to Bendigo, a helicopter ride would take you only 50 minutes. Amazing! That is, until I found out it would cost the price of an airplane ticket to *insert dream holiday destination here* $2900 for upto 3 people return in case you were wondering. So car ride it was.
I arrived at The Schaller Studio and was very happy to very conveniently pass by The Pantry (the cafe in the hotel) and order a latte just before checking in. I then made my way to my room which was on the third floor and was welcomed by a very seductive bottle of red wine.
If you've been to an Art Series Hotel before you will know the feeling of being in one of their hotels. Everywhere you turn, you are delighted by the artwork that surrounds you. The Schaller Studio is inspired by the highly respected Melbourne based Artist Mark Schaller who, as you will see if you visit the hotel, uses not only painting but also sculpture and ceramics to express his ideas. And unlike the other Art Series Hotels, the art works you see are all originals and for sale.
The Schaller Studio, as the name suggests, has been designed and styled to give you the feel of actually being in Mark Schaller's own studio. Even though I myself am an illustrator and have my own studio where I work from, I found The Schaller super inspiring and it just made me want to create.
Throughout the hotel you will find little bits here and there that will delight you, such as some of the ephemera (illustrated above) which I found displayed in the form of a mood board. Even the 'do not disturb' sign, which here, actually says 'Artist At Work' and on the flip side says 'Out Gathering Inspiration', really (even though as stated previously, I am an illustrator) makes you feel like an artist, so I can only imagine how special and inspired people who aren't illustrators/artists might feel.
I am not ashamed to admit it, I am a sucker for mini hotel toiletries. These EVO ones that I found in The Schaller Studio bathroom have to be my favourite ones, mainly because of the clever copy on the packaging but also for the thoughtfulness of them. I opened the box labeled 'rain helmet' literally LOL'ing as I type rain helmet to not only find a shower cap but a hair tie as well, which was rad because I had forgotten mine. Thoughtful.
Also not illustrated above, was a box labelled 'final touch-vanity kit' with copy on the back saying: 'this box contains all the bits and bobs that can make or break an appointment: something to remove the remains of the day, something to fix that shirt and even a file to get you out of prison...take charge of your destiny....use it. directions: do it, get it done, use the kit and notice the results.' Excellent!
BENDIGO ART GALLERY
42 View Street, Bendigo, VIC 3550
Website: Click HERE
Phone: (+61 3) 5434 6088
Included in the Schaller Stay and See Toni Maticevski Package is also a ticket to the 'Maticevski: Dark Wonderland' exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery.
It was my second time visiting the exhibition and enjoyed it just as much as I did the first time. Toni Maticevski's work is incredible, even more impressive is the fact that he still creates at least 90% of his samples, which means that he has hand created almost all the pieces that you will see in the exhibition. If you're at all familiar with the fashion industry you will appreciate how rare it is these days for a designer to be involved in the whole process from ideation to creation.
Included in the exhibition are not only fashion pieces but also a curation of Toni Maticevski's sketchbooks, accessories and also props used in original runway shows.
HUNGRY IN BENDIGO?
I asked the lovely Amy who is the hotel manager and big fan of Bendigo for suggestions on where to eat and these are some of her reccomendations:
- Rocks on Rosalind: a wine, cocktail bar and restaurant with an underground drinking space that used to be a bank vault.
- Harvest Rotisserie and Patisserie: Cafe by day, wine bar on weekends, with a Michelin star trained pastry chef who is making two day process pure butter croissants.For croissants, slow cooked regional meats.
- Percy & Percy: Cafe that will make you feel like you're in Melbourne, great breakfast and lunch using local produce.
- Masons of Bendigo: All day eatery, wine bar and pantry store. Awarded One Hat from The Age Good Food Guide 2017, serving craft food, wine and beer.