It's a familiar sight in Canberra these days - an empty, boarded-up building, fenced and slated for redevelopment, at the mercy of the elements while it waits for the earthmovers to arrive.
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But how many such buildings are architect-designed, purpose-built art galleries, with high ceilings, natural light and room after empty room, just begging to be filled with art?
Margaret Dimoff had been eyeing the former premises of the Solander Gallery, on the corner of Grey Street and Hopetoun Circuit in Deakin, for months before she made a move.
The south coast artist has decided it is now or never to make a go of selling the artworks piling up in her studio. It is the last hurrah for the gallery space, which opened in 1986 and housed the Solander Gallery, one of the city's first commercial art galleries, until it moved back to Yarralumla in 1997.
The building is due to be demolished in January to make way for apartments.
Ms Dimoff has rented the space from the developer to run it as a gallery in the meantime.
''I've always said I want my own gallery, and my son said, 'Mum, it's there, they're going to pull it down, I'm sure you can get it cheap, see how you go','' she said. ''So that's what I did. I got the cleaners in - there was dirt everywhere.''
The walls are now filling with her abstract canvasses, framed paintings, sculptures and pottery, and she is open for business.
''I've just got these sitting at home. If this works, I will open my own gallery in Fyshwick somewhere,'' she said, adding her dream was to have a gallery with a studio and printing press attached. She thought now was a good time to try to break into the Canberra art scene with her abstract style, and had already sold several canvasses privately.
''There are a lot of modern houses around with big walls, and they need large paintings, and they don't want gum trees, although some people do gum trees very, very well.''
Ms Dimoff studied at the ANU School of Art and lived for a time in Forrest, although she and her husband have been running a 130-acre farm near Tuross Head on the coast for the past 19 years.
She said that at 67, her enthusiasm for painting showed no signs of waning, and it was time to try her hand in the market.
''When you're 30, it's different - galleries want you, because you're an investment,'' she said. ''But I've realised I'm not going to be famous, I've got maybe 10 quality years left, so I've got to make a go of it.''
Margaret Dimoff Art is open from Friday to Sunday every week.