New gallery in Montville attracts a creative following

Chad Barry & Priscilla Jean with Flossy the Daschund have revamped Camphor Cottage: “Every day people are wandering into the gallery, telling me that they felt drawn to it. It’s quite magical.”

A new gallery offering a dreamy, eclectic space for people to immerse themselves in beauty, colour, sound and nature has recently opened in Montville and is attracting a loyal following.

After spending the past 20 years raising her children, Priscilla Jean moved to Montville to initiate a ‘play space’ for people of all ages and walks of life to nurture their creative spirit. The business is located at the former Camphor Cottage in the heart of Montville.

“This has been the most incredible, intuitive journey of creating and holding a space for people to get back to nature and allow themselves to be creative,” she said.

Priscilla had previously offered art classes for women from her home and noticed how healing and sacred the classes were.

A love of creative arts led her to study art psychotherapy where her understanding of the healing power of art and creativity deepened. “We are such creative beings and I have seen and experienced firsthand how much abundance art can bring to someone,” she said.

“Creativity helps us to be in tune with ourselves in a way that is just divine. Without my completely conscious awareness of it, I have been heading towards this place for ten years and finding this space in this community has been life changing,” Priscilla said.

“I had decided I wanted to find a home for this concept in a supportive community and basically, over a single weekend, my partner Chad had found this gorgeous property. In the space of a month, our whole world was transformed and we have experienced an overwhelming outpouring of acceptance and support ever since. I never knew that living intuitively and helping others tap into their own creative potential could be this beautiful.

“Every day people are wandering into the gallery, telling me that they felt ‘drawn’ to it. It’s quite magical.”

Every wall of the old Queenslander is filled with Priscilla’s art, and there are clothing, candles, Mismo products and books available. The verandas are home to plush, comfy armchairs and shelves brimming with books, games, sketch pads and colouring books for guests to enjoy. A piano takes pride of place on the northern verandah and it is not uncommon to find visitors playing it and other musical instruments while they enjoy a coffee or cool drink.

“Chad is a landscaper and he has worked his magic out in the garden,” said Priscilla. “More than once we have been told that it is like falling into Alice’s wonderland. People love to sit out under the shade of the lush trees and have their coffee.”

Chad has wrapped the entire verandah in fairy lights and the gallery stands out like a little beacon on Main Street at night.

Priscillas offers a mouthwatering selection of cakes from Homemade Bliss, Kai coffee, Unique Wholefoods and Sweet Darling candy; “basically food to support people to thrive and feel more energetic.”

There are also art supplies, candles, clothing, a second hand section, and of course, Priscilla’s art. “Our dream is to eventually host artist markets out in the front garden, like Montmatre, in Paris,” Priscilla said. 

“Right now it feels like a dream that is bigger than me but after the experience of establishing the gallery here, I know it is absolutely possible.”

Priscilla’s Gallery is at 190 Main Street, Montville and is open from 9am to 6pm, 7 days a week.