THE HUNTER'S ONLY WATERFRONT GALLERY No Images? Click here NewsNew look Art Gallery – coming soon The Gallery will be closed between 1 April and early September 2019 for an exciting $2.3 million transformation.The re-development will include more space for exciting events and programs, the collection, exhibitions, and for dedicated Aboriginal gallery. The project also includes more solar panels and a new air-conditioning plant. All of this will support the Art Gallery in being one of the most dynamic, inclusive, forward-thinking and sustainable art galleries in the country. We are still open and continue to operate until 31 March. Come along and see our latest exhibition First Class 18, it is a delight for all ages. The Sculpture Park and Awaba House Restaurant and Cafe will remain open during construction. The cafe's phone number is 49506366. Out and About On Monday 25 February, Gallery Director Debbie Abraham, attended the Newcastle Show Art Prize. This is the second year the Art Gallery has sponsored the sculpture section of the Prize. Roger McFarlane was commended for his work, Peace contained, while Ian Dodd with Celtic Knot, and Vince Rush with Butterfly vine, came in as joint winners. The opening event was well attended and the works were seen by thousands of Show goers over the weekend of the 1,2 and 3 March. Joint winner Ian Dodd, Debbie Abraham and Prize judge and Director Cooks Hill Galleries, Mark Widdup. Supporting CreativesAt the end of last month creatives from all occupations gathered at the Art Gallery for two important seminars, both presented by Creative + Business. Creative industry specialist Irene Lemon, conducted the first session entitled The Grant Song. She provided valuable information on how to research, plan for and write successful grant applications. The second, Money is not a dirty word, was led by Creative + Business founder, Monica Davidson. This session was all about money – how to make it, how to save it, and how to budget when you don't have consistent income. Both workshops were professional, relevant and enjoyed by all participants. Keep an eye out for more more professional development opportunities for creatives. Monica Davidson from Creative + Business presenting The Grant Song Lake Mac Heritage Symposium 2019The first annual ‘Lake Mac Heritage Symposium’ was held on Monday 4th March 2019. This free event was specifically designed by Council's Arts, Culture and Tourism team to support the continuing work of local historical societies in caring for and giving access to their collections. Guest speakers included Dr Lynda Kelly, Dr Rob Hall, Rob Cleworth, Ann Crump and Jessica Dowdell, all giving participants loads of information and workable strategies. Topics for the day ranged from how to connect with your audience, collecting the essentials, packing and storing on a budget, collecting with no space, and kid-friendly collections. One of the practical sessions was a 'behind the scenes' tour of the Art Gallery's collection room, art handling facilities and the exhibition space by Rob Cleworth, Exhibitions and Collection Officer. For more information on social history and heritage, check out the Arts, Heritage and Culture section on Lake Macquarie City Council's website: https://www.lakemac.com.au/commun…/arts-heritage-and-culture Exhibitions and Collection Officer Rob Cleworth speaking in the First Class 18 exhibition as a part of the Lake Mac Heritage Symposium. Current ExhibitionLast Weeks! Until 31 March 2019First Class 18Don't miss this amazing exhibition! Now in its eleventh year, the much-anticipated First Class exhibition project celebrates the high calibre of work by the previous year’s HSC Visual Arts students from the Hunter and Central Coast regions. In First Class 18, the selected artists explore themes of memory, culture, science and the environment. This year it was curated by Courtney Novak and Helen Willis.Everyone has loved the exhibition leaving comments in our Visitor's Book such as: Lowanna Russell, Wadalba Community School, Evanescent Integrity 2018, digital photographs, dimensions variable © the artist. Art Classes and ActivitiesEach weekend in MarchDrop-in-drawing Art Space School holiday workshopsJoin the fun in new locations while we are closed .....details will be made available shortly. 16 April: Swansea Library Come and enjoy our new-look Family Activity Corner. Free artmaking daily until 31 March. Coming Up:While we are closed we will be working on the future programming and strategies as well, of course, as the grand re-opening exhibitions and events. Meanwhile we are madly packing up the art collection to send it off to safe museum-standard storage and getting ready to hand over to the builders. Super exciting times! Don't forget Awaba House Cafe Restaurant will remain open for business and you can always enjoy our outdoor collection in the sculpture park, while taking in the magnificent lakeside views. We will also be running programs in and around other venues in the City. Keep an eye on our website for updates of the building progress! Members pf the installation team, Marly and Dean, working on packing the collection in the soon-to-be-extended collection store. |