Thursday, July 16, 2009

New temporary exhibition space in relocated historic Yamba church


Historic Yamba church moving to a new life

In early May this year the old Presbyterian Church in Yamba was moved to start a new life as a lively temporary exhibition space next to the Story House Museum in River Street Yamba.

When the federal government’s infrastructure development program was announced late last year the Member for Page, Janelle Saffin, successfully sought the support of the Clarence Valley Council for the project on behalf of the Port of Yamba Historical Society.

This project is one of 24 projects being carried out by the Clarence Valley Council with the support of the Federal Government’s Community Infrastructure Program. This program has provided the funds to repair, restore and fit out the church and connect it to the museum. The Council is managing the project in collaboration with the Port of Yamba Historical Society.

Public Art at the Gallery

THE GALLERY FOUNDATION LTD

Art Donation

The Clarence Valley is soon to have a new piece of public sculpture thanks to The Gallery Foundation.

Grafton Gallery Director, Jude McBean, says “This is the first artwork commissioned for the Gallery exterior spaces. Given the proposed location it is likely to become one of the Gallery’s signature works.”

Having now raised over $100,000, including considerable earned income on monies held, the Foundation has announced that it will fund the acquisition of a major art work for the Gallery, costing about $10,000.

The Call for Expressions of Interest was made available to artistic networks on Wednesday, 1 July, requesting submissions by close of business on Friday, 31 July 2009. Further details may be obtained from the Gallery.

The criteria indicate that the work should be a contemporary sculpture of steel and/or stone, and that the artist should be a resident in the North Coast of NSW region. The artwork is to be located in the Gallery courtyard. This setting mandates some dimensional requirements for selection.

Priority will be given to high quality, innovative and well developed proposals which consider issues of safety and physical accessibility, materials maintenance and durability, and are relevant to the Clarence Valley’s history, culture, environment and society.

It is expected that the sculpture will be installed in November, and revealed at a special function at that time.

The Gallery Foundation Ltd is an autonomous fund-raising organisation with tax-deductible gift recipient status which exists to support the visual arts in the Clarence Valley, principally through the Grafton Regional Gallery. Donations are tax deductible.

Further information about The Gallery Foundation Ltd is available from the website http://www.thegalleryfoundation.com.au.