I am very excited to be the 2024 Artist in Residence at Melbourne Athenaeum Library.

Melbourne Athenaeum Library

Our 2024 artist-in-residence has been locked in – Melbourne artist Alissa Duke.

Alissa Duke is a law librarian who loves books: to read, to draw and, sometimes, to draw in. She sketches daily, documenting everyday events, objects and travels. Alissa carries her sketchbook, watercolour pencils and pen with her everywhere, saying there is always something to draw. Her art captures the character of the objects that she draws, connecting them with the viewer. Alissa will be sketching events and library features for the next 12 months, leading up to our 185th birthday next November. You may have already spotted her at our Friday night events sketching our wonderful musicians in the moment.

What is Melbourne Athenaeum Library?

Of Collins Street’s many iconic buildings, the Melbourne Athenaeum is alone in housing the same institution and serving the same purpose for the entirety of the almost 200 years it has existed. It was originally named the Mechanics’ Institution when formed in 1839.

The beautiful first floor Library and Reading Room offers over 30,000 print, digital, and audio books, a range of magazine and newspaper subscriptions, and film and TV on DVD for borrowing and use in the library, and hosts regular music performances, talks, book and screen clubs, and other cultural events. The library is open six days per week, and late on Wednesdays. Athenaeum members and visitors enjoy the historic atmosphere and quiet haven in a bustling city.

Have an explore inside with their video

I have been a member of this subscription library since I moved to Melbourne in 2014. I am a regular book borrower. They usually have all titles in a series. This is great, as it means when I discover a new author I can read all in the series from Book 1! I also attend many of their Music concerts, usually the string quartets. You may have seen some of my sketches from their evenings. I will be attending more this year ! There is so much to sketch. The Library also hosts events in Melbourne Rare Book Week, which I am involved with.

As a librarian (in another historic Melbourne library) I have wonderful library chats with the librarians and volunteers when I visit.

What is an Artist in Residence?

An artist-in-residence is a phrase that covers a wide variety of circumstances. It can be short or long term, full time or part time, You can travel across the city, the country or the world. You usually need to produce something from your time there, sometimes in response to the environment. These are all agreed to at the beginning of the contract. This is my first. I am continuing in my full time job and work on these at nights and weekends. But it really can’t be called work, as it will be so much fun.

As described, I will be sketching over the next twelve months. I have already spent time exploring the library and archives and have a series of drawings that I plan on doing, I was inspired immediately and after initial excited discussions with the staff, I identified some unique items and features that are part of the Melbourne Athenaeum’s history and current life. There is so much to draw and the objects have so many stories to tell.

Books and pencils…I am so happy.

I hope to be able to share these with you along the way,

I posted this on my Facebook page and Instagram and received SO many congratulatory messages from friends near and far. It is a great start to the year.