Artist Hayley Savage to transform iconic Geraldton Sunflower Deli into an art space for workshops, events

An artsy business entrepreneur will transform Geraldton’s historic Sunflower Deli into a new arts space after its doors closed five years ago, with plans to revamp the iconic deli front. The Sunflower Deli located on Marine Terrace has been a landmark for the past 70 or 80 years, and was known by locals to have the best beef and gravy rolls in town. Deli owner Dave Clancy closed the business in February 2018 after operating the store for 30 years and it had been left vacant until artist Hayley Savage decided to transform it into a gallery to hold guided painting workshops. The studio open day was held on Saturday, with the community welcomed to check out the new space. Ms Savage will host a range of art classes for children and adults, focused on creative exploration for toddlers up to secondary school kids. The arts space will also hold adult “paint and sip” workshops, where creators bring their own drinks to the art class and learn new techniques on canvas. Ms Savage has taught art at TAFE and held workshops at local businesses. She said there was a great response from the community and she was excited to be doing it full-time in her own space. “It really is my happy place standing in front of a class and teaching them how to paint, how to mix colours, and work from light to dark and things like that,” she said. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity at all these different places.” Ms Savage said anyone was welcome to pop in, from novice to professional artists, and even businesses looking to have an artsy Christmas party. “When you are a creator it can sometimes be a lonely existence, because you’re in your little room in your house painting over an easel. I just want everyone to come out and say hi, like creative networking,” she said. For more information or to book a class visit sunflowergeraldton.com.au