Shades of Gray is a magical, metal garden wonderland that is only open for a few weeks each year. Its annual exhibition begins on Saturday, November 2 at the intersection of Farnsworth and Brown Streets in Castlemaine.
Peter Gray, who has been working into the wee hours for months, preparing and creating pieces for the exhibition, encourages locals to experience it.
“People travel from all around the world and you’re only 13 minutes away,” he said. “We’re only open 15 days of the year; come over!”
Shades of Gray is an extraordinary manifestation of the hard work and imagination of its owners, Peter and Chelly Gray, who have worked on it for 31 years. Every corner is a delight for the eyes, with metal blooms emerging from below and bell flowers hanging overhead. Multiple galleries are filled with mirrors, candelabra and wreaths, all decorated with flowers and creeping tendrils.
“I wanted it to look like a florist shop,” said Peter of a gallery adorned with brightly coloured metal blossoms. He explains that the colour is created by using many hues of ordinary paint.
“It’s not special paint; we want the rust. We tried making flowers with rust-proof paint and nobody wanted them!” Peter is particularly excited to share something new that they have been working on: a detailed and quirky ‘Chook House’ filled to the rafters (literally) with metal chickens. “This will break the internet!” he laughed, posing beside Romeo the rooster.
The annual exhibition attracts people from far and wide, but this is the 24th of its kind and Shades of Gray is well-equipped to manage. They will be assisted by 20 staff, in two marquees, with eight EFTPOS machines.
“It’s a world-class event with 13,000 flowers,” Peter said. “You won’t see that anywhere!” He assures potential visitors that while some ornate pieces – such as birdcages and weather vanes – are likely to sell out quickly, the gardens and galleries will still be gorgeous and spellbinding until the last day of the exhibition. Why would you miss a glimpse of this wonderland and a chance to take a piece home?
Shades of Gray’s Annual Exhibition: Saturday 2 to Sunday 10 November, 10am – 4pm. Continues Saturday 16 to Sunday 17 November, Saturday 23 to Sunday 24 November and Saturday 30 November to Sunday 1 December, 10am – 4pm. Entry to the exhibition is free. For more information visit: shadesofgray.net.au.
This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 1 November 2024.
