Sometimes the word exciting doesn’t quite seem enough.
That was in my mind on Friday when we welcomed the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria, Danielle Green MP, to the Central Goldfields Art Gallery to view the progress with the development taking place. This important project is jointly funded with $1.7 million from the Victorian Government Regional Infrastructure Fund and Tourism Infrastructure Investment Fund and $273,000 from Council’s Budget.
I viewed a presentation by the architects some time ago and that presentation showed how much of the hidden treasures of the Gallery would be opened up and how creatively the space would be used.
In fact, even that did not prepare me for actually having an on-site viewing with the Parliamentary Secretary and our own Council team and to see how amazing it looks even now, and most certainly will on completion, which is expected in September.
I always considered the Gallery to be special and enjoyed viewing an exhibition during a quiet time, sitting quietly and taking in some of the art on display. I recall the former Tourism Victoria, some years ago including it in its no announcement drop-in visits and according it a fantastic 94% score.
What is so magic now is how creatively the architects have not only opened up the grandeur of the full space to show the splendid heritage, but combined that with such creative use of light and contemporary design, creating a truly magnificent blend of old and new.
The opening can’t come soon enough!
