THE HUNTER'S ONLY WATERFRONT GALLERY No Images? Click here NewsExciting Art Gallery redevelopment due to start next month!A $2.3 million expansion of Lake Macquarie’s multi award-winning Gallery is set to begin next month to enhance our already vibrant and popular cultural facility. The expansion will include extended collection storage and exhibition space to include dedicated contemporary Aboriginal arts programs, covered outdoor programming space, a reconfigured entrance, new air-conditioning plant and additional solar panels. Council’s Manager Arts, Culture and Tourism, Jacqui Hemsley, said with a growing audience, higher demands for public exhibition space and rapidly developing collection an expansion of the gallery is essential. ‘The gallery expansion will provide space to attract larger exhibitions increasing its appeal as a destination, while also allowing the gallery to simultaneously host complementary shows and public programs,’ Ms Hemsley said. ‘The project will enhance Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery’s role as a vital and forward-thinking regional facility in New South Wales, and will build on its award-winning Aboriginal programming.’ The expansion will also help in achieving the gallery’s target to reduce at least 30 per cent of its carbon footprint. Proudly funded by the NSW Government, in association with Lake Macquarie City Council. The Gallery will be temporarily closed from Sunday 31 March until September for construction, however, Awaba House will stay open during this period, so don't forget to drop in and have a coffee and wander around the Sculpture Park. Check out our website for staff contact details and some of our art classes (to be run in other venues around the City) and of course, details of the grand reopening in the second half of the year. While the building is closed Gallery staff will be working industriously with our Arts, Culture and Tourism colleagues, to ensure the new-look expanded Gallery has loads more art and programs for you. January saw the Gallery as a hive of activity with live demonstrations and informal chats by Headquarters artists Marlene Houston (Creator Incubator), Jacqueline Clayton (Red Shed) and Rowena Foong (HQ/ High Tea With Mrs Woo), Margot Broug (Creator Incubator), Szuzy Timar (Creator Incubator). Our holiday program was also hopping with loads of activities for young people, including sculpture workshops, traditional Aboriginal weaving workshop and even art and yoga sessions, alongside our ever popular free 'ArtSpace' on Sundays! Adults also got into the action during our summer school and our 'Drop In Drawing' sessions. Beyond the Gallery walls, and as a part of Council's 'Explore Our Great Outdoors' program, a group of cycling art lovers joined a Lakeside Sculpture Tour on Wednesday 23 January. The successful cycling tour was hosted by our Education and Public Programs Officer, Jo Davies, who guided the group from Eleebana to Booragul to introduce Lake Mac's fabulous new Creative Lake Sculpture Trail and revisit some favourite works in the Gallery's Sculpture Park. T-B: Gallery site with the sculpture park; Rowena Foong from High Tea with Mrs Woo in the Gallery as a part of Headquarters artist programs; Aboriginal weaving workshop with Michelle Earl from Kilipiynpiyn; Lakeside Sculpture Tour in front of Antoine Bruinsma's Beach Blossom Upcoming EventsOpening celebration: Sunday 10 February from 2pmJoin in the fun this Sunday as we celebrate the opening of the inspiring First Class 18. Hear from the curators Courtney Novak and Helen Willis alongside some of the young artists. After the talks, stay and enjoy live music and refreshments. All are welcome to this free event. Current Exhibition9 February – 31 March 2019FIRST CLASS 18 Lowanna Russell, Wadalba Community School, Evanescent Integrity (detail) 2018, digital photographs, dimensions variable © the artist. Art Classes and ActivitiesTerm 1 Art Classes are under way. Contact the Gallery for details. Drop-in-drawing Art Space Coming Up:The very exciting Gallery expansion begins next month! Keep an eye on our website for updates. |