Orange Regional Gallery is able to be opened to the public as construction on the $5 million extension begins.
Staff and builders, Renascent Regional Pty Ltd, have worked together to enable the reopening of the Gallery during the initial construction phase.
Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said he was delighted the community was able to continue to enjoy the Gallery while the extensive building works were completed.
“The Gallery was closed earlier this year due to public health orders associated with COVID-19, so we took that opportunity to get started on a range of building works internally.
“We’ve now completed most of those improvements and work has begun on the external extension project.
“It’s really good the Gallery is able to present new exhibitions for local residents and visitors over the summer season in the recently refurbished Alan Sisley Gallery,” Cr Kidd said.
Orange City Council’s Services Policy Committee Chair Scott Munro said the gallery would re-open on Saturday and planned to remain open until the end of February.
“The Gallery will open with the exhibition Visions of Country,” Cr Munro said.
“Visions of Country presents different impressions of land from the Orange Regional Gallery Collection.”
The exhibition includes early Australian Modernists Roland Wakelin and Grace Cossington Smith to present day artists David Serisier, Elisabeth Cummings and Margaret Loy Pula,.
Visions of Country reveals the many ways artists interpret their experience of land. Across varying styles and mediums, Visions of Country presents artists fundamentally linked by their desire to portray our inherent connection to it.
The Gallery extension is funded by the NSW Government’s Regional Cultural Fund ($4,052,990) and Orange City Council ($1,000,000) with vital community contributions raised through the
Gallery’s fundraising campaign going towards design costs and fit out.
Designed by Sam Marshall, at Architect Marshall, the project includes a 270 square metre contemporary gallery with innovative use of natural lighting, a 75 seat gallery theatre and new collection and conservation area. The purpose-built gallery theatre will be a unique gathering space in Orange for engagement and education programs as well as for wider community use.
Join Orange Regional Gallery curator Lucy Stranger for a free guided tour of Visions of Country from 12:30-1:30pm on Wednesday 18 November or from 5:30-6:30pm on Friday 20 November 2020.
Places are limited and bookings are essential. Visit the What’s On page on the Gallery’s website to book.
