A brand-new gallery for the Canberra region is opening this weekend in downtown Gundaroo, just 20 minutes out of town on the Sutton Road.

It will have a very different focus from the heritage-charged galleries and shops in tha area.

Daramalan College teacher, Jennifer Wright, has long been interested in running a gallery. Now, with a family on the way and the usual burst of energy that goes with it, she has turned a part of her Gundaroo home into “thewrightspace” Gallery, which opens to the public on Saturday, January 21, with an exhibition of delicate crafted blossom trees by Canberra artist Rachel Bilal.

Best-known for her interior design for “The London” Beer & Burgers, in Civic, which included a six-metre square mosaic on a large column, Bilal has created her trees with wood, fabric and beading.

Though she started out with leaves in autumn and some of trees, she only makes spring blossom trees now.

It takes about 150 hours to complete one tree, Bilal says, even though the format she has chosen is bonsai, smaller isn’t necessarily easier.

As for Wright, she is learning the trade of becoming a gallery owner, reaching far and wide to present something quite different and contemporary to the region.

The next show, opening on February 17, will be photographs of his home country by Iranian photographer Amir Samiee.

Rachel Bilal’s solo exhibition runs at thewrightspace Gallery, 47 Cork St. Gundaroo  January 21 – February 12, 11am to 4 pm, Saturdays and Sundays. Inquiries to thewrightspace47@gmail.com or visit www.thewrightspace.com.au