The Cultural Centre isn't known as a shopping destination. Rather, it is home to the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), Queensland Art Gallery, the Museum and the State Library where many hours can easily be whiled away in cultural pursuits.
But no matter how many times I visit the Cultural Centre, I always make sure I spend some time at the stores attached to the venues. I love discovering something a little out of the ordinary...
Gallery Store Modern
This shop is on the ground floor, next to the entrance doors of GoMA. You don't have to enter the gallery to enter the store and they share the same opening hours. The selection of books here is amazing, with most shelves devoted to art and creativity in all its forms. There is also a smattering of jewellery, designer homewares and mostly local crafted items for sale. It's a great store to find quirky, funny gifts as well as merchandise related to the exhibitions of GoMA.
During a major exhibition, there is often a stand-alone store inside the Gallery selling merchandise such as t-shirts, calendars and other memorabilia. Keep an eye open for the store that will sell items related to the exhibition When the Met Comes to Brisbane.
The Library Shop at the State Library
This is a true story. Whilst standing in the Library Shop, getting a sense of the place so I could write this article, a customer who was buying a book said to the assistant "Nice shop you've got here. There's interesting stock." And that, in a nutshell, is the Library Shop.
As you'd expect, it sells books but it's also a great place to find unusual Brisbane souvenirs, including some local history titles that would be hard to find elsewhere. The range of children's books is amazing, and not just for babies either. Older readers are well catered for. Cards and wrapping paper are sold too.
You'll find the shop next door to the Tognini's café and it's hard to resist the aroma of fresh coffee.
Gallery Store at Queensland Art Gallery
Tucked beside the main entrance of the Gallery, this store offers stunning art-themed coffee table books, laden with glossy photos and reproductions. You can also buy some beautiful jewellery, some of which is made locally. There are delicate ceramic pieces too and a small selection of children's titles. If you can't make it into the store, you can buy many of the books online.
Explorer Shop at Queensland Museum
This is where it gets fun and this shop is sure to appeal to the kids. There are all sorts of fake insects, creepy crawlies and science-inspired toys to take home. A few dollars pocket money will go a long way to buying something weird and wacky.
Plus, there are wonderful science and nature books for all ages and interests. The range published by the Queensland Museum, including books about the wildlife, wild places and wild plants of Brisbane are for sale here.
So, you may not go to the Cultural Centre purely to shop (unless you already know what high quality goods you can find there) but the stores all certainly add to the experience!
By Michele, from the ourbrisbane.com team.
