Flora Australis blooms for Bega Valley
Bega Valley Regional Gallery has been singled out amongst its peers by one of the State’s peak arts and cultural intuitions.
Gallery Director, Iain Dawson was in Sydney on Friday night to accept an IMAGinE Award from Museums and Galleries NSW.
The annual ceremony highlights the people who work in these cultural spaces across NSW and the contribution they make to the communities around them.
Bega Valley Regional Gallery was singled out for the ‘Flora Australis’ exhibition earlier this year, winning the ‘Best Exhibition by a Small Gallery’ category.
Using a collection of works by some of Australia’s most well-known and respected artists, Flora Australis presented a historical and contemporary examination of the humble flower.
Works by Margaret Olley, Arthur Streeton, and Tom Roberts, to name just a few, attracted over 5000 visitors to the Gallery, half of which were from outside the Shire.
“I am thrilled to accept this award on behalf of the Bega Valley Regional Gallery,” Mr Dawson said.
“This award shows that despite our gallery being small and a challenge to work in at times, it is the strength of our program that stands tall.
“I am proud to be a part of an organisation that invests in the best that Australian visual culture has to offer,” Mr Dawson said.
The IMAGinE Awards pay homage to organisations run by volunteers, with limited budgets and minimal resources. They are an opportunity to advocate and promote the achievements of galleries and museums.
“Flora Australis was also a real win for the local economy, injecting an estimated $300,000 into the region,” Mr Dawson said.
“Our Gallery punches well above its weight – culturally and economically. It’s great to see the contribution of our volunteers recognised in this way.”
The Art of Dinosaur Designs is another breakthrough exhibition for the Gallery, which is on show until 3 December.
This dynamic and vibrant exhibition is the work of Sydney artists Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy.
Louise, the daughter of the renowned John Olson, and Melbourne born Stephen, have been partners in life and art since they met at the University of NSW more than 30 years ago.
This exhibition features a series of large-scale sculptural forms that celebrate the pair’s creative partnership, and a career that started at the Paddington Markets and now spans the globe including stores in New York and London.
‘Waves and Water’ is the Gallery’s summer blockbuster exhibition featuring iconic photographs that capture Australian Beach culture from the 1930’s to today.
On loan from the Australian Maritime Museum, ‘Waves and Water’ runs 9 December to 4 February 2017.
“All building up to the Gallery hosting the finalists in 2016 Archibald Prize from late March next year,” Mr Dawson said.
“Exhibitions of this calibre are our future, especially considering the redevelopment plans Council has for the space that will start to be detailed next year.”
The Bega Valley Regional Gallery is open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturday’s 9am to 12 noon in Zingel Place Bega.
Photograph: Iain Dawson with Museums and Galleries NSW Chair, Associate Professor Jennifer Barrett, University of Sydney. Media Release Photograph: Iain Dawson with Museums and Galleries NSW Chair, Associate Professor Jennifer Barrett, University of Sydney.
