Set amongst rolling farmland in Moorooduc, The Studio & Co is a sprawling creative precinct designed by celebrated local artist Leisa Wharington. Inspired by the artistic landscape and grassroots essence of the Mornington Peninsula, the collaborative studio space brings together a diverse range of artists, designers and makers under one roof.
The expansive site incorporates thoughtfully curated retail spaces, a light-filled gallery, artist studios, insulated shipping container pods, workshops, event spaces, an indoor-outdoor nursery, as well as a wholefoods cafe, kitchen and coffee pod serving nourishing bites, baked goods and specialty coffee.
The project has been years in the making for Leisa, who understands the sense of isolation often experienced by artists. For 30 years, she worked in a small studio on her family property in Merricks North. There, she honed her craft in front of a giant furnace, spinning molten glass into organic sculptural pieces, vases, glasses, and ornate light fittings. In 2020 – when the opportunity arose – she set her sights on transforming the old antique store on Mornington-Tyabb Road.
The site itself is a rural property balancing rich local history with hyper-connectivity to Melbourne via the nearby Moorooduc Highway and Peninsula Link. The dwelling was originally built in the 1920s by the Jones family, who have lived in the area since the 1840s. It once sold groceries, stockfeed and equipment before eventually becoming an antiques store. With its matte black brickwork and striped copper awning, the frontage is full of character anda nostalgic beacon on an otherwise rural stretch of road. Whilst the original structures have stood for over a century, the interior and amenities have received a thoughtful renovation.
Leisa and her business partner Nadia Hughes spent three years transforming the old sheds into a multi-purpose creative hub. All of the materials used in the build have been salvaged and repurposed, from the donated double-glazed windows that feature throughout, to the hardwood doors made from the old timber flooring. With polished concrete, exposed pitched ceilings and an abundance of natural light, the space itself is an artistic masterpiece.
Peeping through one of the steel portholes, you might see a ceramicist perched over a wheel, a painter at their easel or a sculptor working on their latest installation. The pair are inspired by artists working in different mediums and have attracted a creative cohort of painters, jewellers, textile designers, makers, photographers, and digital creatives to the space.
The Studio & Co is now open to the public, with current opening hours as below:
The Studio & Co. Retail Spaces
Monday - Sat 10 am - 4 pm (CLOSED TUESDAY)
Sunday 10 am - 3pm
Jones Corner Cafe
Monday - Friday 8 am - 3pm (CLOSED TUESDAY)
Saturday and Sunday 9 am - 3 pm
Jones Corner Coffee Pod
Monday - Friday 7 am - 11 am
Saturday and Sunday 8 am - 12 pm
