Analogue Academy

What started as a friendship at work and a mutual love for the arts and photography, Daniel Horvat, James Cox and Joshua Maxwell de Hoog have since turned their passions into Analogue Academy: a café, gallery and film processing lab with the possibility to flow beyond that.
“We wanted to create a space that was all inclusive when it came to the arts and photography. We shoot different things, in different styles, but bond over a love for film and analogue photography,” Joshua says.
“I think the main reason for creating Analogue Academy was to have a place that wasn’t so much about the future, but rather appreciating what we have and seeing the beauty in a physical form of photography.”
Located down a private alleyway, Analogue Academy is a place for like minded individuals to hang out and appreciate art at its core, and possibly partake in the occasional poetry slam or two.
“We thought it’d be a good escape for lots of people and coffee seemed to be essential to that idea. As to where that idea leads, we will have to see. I think it’d probably be silly if we didn’t sell cookies though,” he says.
The space is also a way to inspire people to start using film again. James, Joshua and Daniel are hoping to make the process cheap and accessible so that anyone can enjoy capturing things on film.
Hearing the word ‘analogue’, you may think the space will only showcase works from photographers, and while it’s what brought the trio together, it’s by no means all they showcase at the space.
“We don’t want to limit ourselves to photography when it comes to exhibitions,” Joshua says. The importance is instead placed on the locality of the artists who are exhibited on the walls, helping to keep the talent of the region in Geelong.
“We will be sourcing lots of local artists for shows, trying to keep Geelong artists in Geelong rather than them feeling the need to branch out into Melbourne,” he says.
“Geelong has the potential to be a very strong art community, and we’d love to be a part of that movement. Our first show is Courtney Ward, a painter who is very dedicated to making Geelong’s art scene thrive and one of the main instigators of lots of collective art shows to date.”
Opening a business for the first time; Joshua, James and Daniel have taken to the project at full speed, even getting involved in the jack hammering of the venue. While there are a few nerves ahead of their opening to the public, they have faith that Geelong will see Analogue Academy for what it’s worth.
“With that come some nerves, but we’d like to think Geelong has a growing crowd of people who are interested in the arts and this is something that would appeal to them,” Joshua says.
For more information on future events, like their Facebook page.
Where: Halfway down Cuzens Place, Geelong (Look for the black archway and picture of Mr.T)
When: Analogue Academy’s first show will be held on 6.30pm December 6
By Amanda Sherring