About us
Nightingale Gallery is a destination for visual and performing arts located in the historic 909A High Street gallery space in Armadale, Victoria. Housed within a building that has been home to art for over two decades, Nightingale continues this legacy by bringing together visual artists and musicians from Australia and around the world.
The gallery and performance space presents curated exhibitions and events that celebrate both established and emerging artists. Together, these spaces create a unique environment where visual and performing arts intersect.
Nightingale Gallery features two distinctive spaces designed to celebrate both visual and performing arts. The Grand Gallery offers soaring ceilings and expansive walls, perfectly suited for large-scale exhibitions and ambitious installations. Its light-filled atmosphere provides a striking backdrop for contemporary and traditional works alike. This versatile space houses a magnificent Steinway Model B Grand Piano and can comfortably accommodate up to 75 patrons, making it ideal for recitals, chamber concerts, and artist talks.
The Studio Gallery provides a more intimate setting, showcasing smaller exhibitions and hosting close-scale performances and events.
Together with Nightingale Performing Arts Australia, the gallery presents a diverse annual program of visual art exhibitions and live performances. Both exhibition and recital spaces are also available for private hire, offering artists, curators, and performers the opportunity to bring their creative visions to life in an inspiring setting.
Melissa Davis
Director
Indiana Williams
Curator & Gallery Associate
Uma Dobia
Events coordinator & Gallery Associate
Melissa Davis
Director
Melissa Davis is an internationally recognised soprano, educator, and Artistic Director whose career bridges music, performance and art entrepreneurship. As the founding Director of Nightingale Gallery in Armadale, Melbourne, she is developing a distinctive space dedicated to visual art and performance–one that celebrates creative dialogue across disciplines.
Through her leadership at Nightingale Gallery, Melissa curates programs that unite artists, audiences, and ideas, fostering collaboration between visual, performing, and interdisciplinary practices. Her vision emphasises inclusivity, innovation, and meaningful engagement with contemporary themes, creating opportunities for both established and emerging artists to share their work in dynamic new contexts.
With a background that spans music, education, and arts management, Melissa brings a uniquely cross-disciplinary perspective to her directorship. She is committed to building sustainable creative networks and supporting artists in developing long-term, impactful careers.
Under her guidance, Nightingale Gallery is evolving into a vibrant cultural hub—one that not only presents exhibitions and performances but also hosts workshops, talks, and community events that promote artistic exchange and mentorship.
Melissa continues to champion the arts as a catalyst for connection and transformation, nurturing a space where creativity thrives.
Favourite Artworks
Indiana Williams
Curator & Gallery Associate
Raised in Aotearoa New Zealand and now based in Naarm Melbourne, Indiana Williams is a curator and visual artist whose discerning eye and thoughtful approach shape the creative direction of Nightingale Gallery. With a background in contemporary painting, she brings a nuanced understanding of artistic process and concept development to her curatorial practice. Williams is dedicated to fostering opportunities for emerging artists while representing established practitioners whose work resonates with the gallery’s vision. Her curatorial philosophy centres on connection, dialogue, and the presentation of art that challenges, engages, and inspires.
Favourite Artworks
Uma Dobia
Events coordinator & Gallery Associate
As Event Coordinator for Nightingale Gallery, Uma oversees the planning and execution of performances and events across the gallery’s two performance spaces. She brings extensive experience in theatre and charitable events, both as a performer and production crew member, combining creativity with organisational precision. Her eye for detail was honed through years working in customer service, administration, and social media marketing within retail and arts organisations. In addition to her work at Nightingale, Uma is an accomplished performer who has toured her cabaret shows nationally and internationally. She is dedicated to supporting Nightingale’s vision of bringing diverse and inspiring art to Melbourne audiences.
Favourite Artworks
