24°C

The Poet's Desk

Arts and Culture Frankston

Description

Phone: 1300 322 842

Sculpture hidden in foreshore dunes.
1930s Bohemian artistic community.

Description

Harry (1888-1954) and Annie May ‘Nan’ (1879-1961) McClelland moved to Long Island around 1912 and quickly established themselves as the centre for a bohemian group of creative sparks drawn from all strata of Victoria’s social life. A brother and sister team (he, a painter; she, a poet), they enjoyed a life full of aesthetic and philosophic pursuits, with Nan hosting the first children’s radio program on the ABC.

Every New Year’s Eve, Harry delighted in patrolling the streets dressed as a Drum Major, blasting away on the bagpipes. The McClellands were also foundation members of the Peninsular Arts Society, Frankston’s first and oldest arts society (est. 1954), which held its initial meetings at their house.

An enduring symbol of their presence is ‘The Barn’, once memorably described as ‘a rare example of Anglo Swiss-Fijian picturesque eclecticism.’ This is the only survivor of the original cluster of buildings but is still a remarkable presence when encountered from the beach, a fascinating link to the past. Nan McClelland bequeathed money and land in her brother’s memory which lead to the establishment of the acclaimed McClelland Gallery + Sculpture Park in nearby Langwarrin (on the site of Harry’s ‘country’ studio).

Rick Amor’s painting Artists’ house, Long Island, Frankston 1992 features the elderly figure of his aunt, the novelist Myra Morris, who was a regular visitor to the McClelland’s house. As part of the Frankston Coastal Arts Trail, David Murphy and Cameron Robbins of Down Street Studios were commissioned to create artworks responding to the site. Robbins’ sculpture Meta Pier refers to the house’s antler decorations whilst Murphy has recreated Nan’s desk.

More Like This

sculptures

Mirage

Materials: Steel Dimensions: 264 x 263 x 615cm Deirdre and Harry are students of architecture and civil engineering at USYD who have experience in metal, wood and digital fabrication. Refabrica...

Hermitage

One of the more curious tales of Frankston is that of the hermit, John Maddox, who lived for about 20 years in the ti-trees to the south of Seaford Road. He was reported to have been in charge of a ve...

Beacon

Beacon by Matt Calvert from Tasmania This sculptural glass tower and compass marker incorporates and celebrates the maritime history of Port Philip Bay. Beacon celebrates the connection of the sea an...

Dog Collar

The lemon yellow dog collar by sculptor, Joanna Rhodes has been arching over the pathway of our largest off-leash dog park, Ballam Park.

Reflective Lullaby

Born in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Gregor Kregar’s work explores the intersection of mysticism and science. Kregar’s practice is ambiguous and uncanny, yet is a reflection of the social, economic and politi...

Al-Mashoof (Marsh Boat)

Public sculpture by Ayad Alqaragholli from WA/ Iraq. Artists interpretation: 'This work is symbolic of how the Australian coast evokes memories of the mashoof reed boats that have navigated the Mesop...

Dreaming Poles

Eight Dreaming Poles, created by Indigenous artists Aunty Di and Uncle Beamo, form part of the Dreaming Trail to replace the original poles which now lay in nearby garden beds as a decorative feature ...

McClelland Sculpture Park + Gallery

It is the encounter of art in the natural environment at McClelland that makes it the only place of its kind in Australia. A changing exhibition program focuses on modernist Australian art and contemp...

The Orb

Designed and constructed locally, the orb uses the indigenous Coastal Banksia (Banksia integrifolia) for inspiration. It consists of stylised banksia leaves enveloping a bright yellow banksia flower i...

Vertical Wave

Public sculpture by Hikaru Yumura from Japan. Artists interpretation: 'My work is the essence that comes out of the talk with the natural stone. I think not nature and art.' Located at Peninsula Aqu...

More Nearby

Mexican Cantina From Los Argentinos

Argentinian Tapas bar, café and charcoal grill restaurant, with friendly service and quality food. Whether you are a visitor or consider yourself a local! We have plenty to offer you at Los Argentinos...

Students Against Graffiti

Murals were painted by the local primary and secondary schools as part of a Council Responsible Street Art Program. The project introduced students to the process of legal graffiti. The quote “For th...

Old School House Museum

Housed in a building over a hundred years old, this museum teaches education from the past. A period classroom includes information about some past students. Photographs and memorabilia provide an ins...

Madam Mekong

RICE. NOODLES. ROLLS. FRANKSTON. Madam Mekong are a local eatery dishing up fresh and finger lickin' delicious Vietnamese food. Think full flavours, homemade marinades and rice paper rolls pre...

Olive and Pineapple Pizza

A family owned pizza shop. They took over recently and have said "it’s been an absolute pleasure to serve the community of Frankston and the surrounding suburbs." Over 50 pizzas to choose from. ...

Little Olly's

Specialty coffee and snacks right on the beach. From the beach to the bush: Grab your takeaway coffee along your daily walk. This is a pet friendly coffee van. A delicious coffee and the ocean, wha...

Brett Ashby and Local Youth

Artist Bio: Brett Ashby is an international mixed multimedia artist from Melbourne, Australia. Ashby’s work deals with motion, collage, energy, cancer and themes related to the present times. He ha...

Home

Artist Bio:Abbey Rich is a multidisciplinary artist working across canvas, walls and the body. Once at the helm of a fast growing fashion label and showing at VAMFF, Rich is now an exhibiting artist m...

Lucky Inn

Lucky Inn is a family owned Chinese and Malaysian restaurant located on Foot Street in Frankston. It offers both take away and a BYO dine in service.

Boat Hire

After some fun for the whole family? Try your luck in Port Phillip Bay by casting a line off the end of Frankston Pier or head down with your vessel to use one of two Frankston City boat launching fac...

Map & Directions

1A Palm Court Frankston Victoria 3199