Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall with Moree Plains Gallery Director Vivien Clyne and the new shady walkway at the gallery.
Wednesday, 9 August 2017
ART lovers in the Moree district will enjoy the region’s finest artworks in extra comfort, with $80,583 in roofing and amenity upgrades now complete at the Moree Plains Gallery.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall recently toured the art gallery with gallery director Vivien Clyne, inspecting a recently completed covered exterior walkway and amenities block, funded by the NSW Government.
“These upgrades are a stellar addition to an incredible building and will go a long way towards making a visit to the gallery a more comfortable experience for all,” Mr Marshall said.
“The newly completed walkway is a substantial improvement to the old timber pergola, which had limited space and was starting to fall apart.”
Mr Marshall said the insulated steel roof, constructed with a $21,583 Community Building Partnership Grant, significantly extended the gallery’s usable floorspace during the hotter months.
“With the outdoor workshop used up to 15 times a week, this covered walkway will provide essential shelter for visitors young and old from Moree’s blistering summer sun and torrential downpours,” he said.
“During the summer months, the summer heat can regularly top 45 degrees and moving between the gallery’s two cooler buildings can be a shocking experience, particularly for youngsters and elderly art lovers attending workshops.
“This will also help the Moree Plains Gallery offer its extensive workshops, rain, hail or shine. With programs exploring the therapeutic benefits of art for children with learning disabilities and older people recovering from mental illness, these upgrades will benefit the whole community.”
Mr Marshall said the completed walkway upgrades coincided with a $59,000 overhaul of the gallery’s amenities block, to modernise the facilities and improve access for visitors with disabilities.
“Art can be a powerful form of expression and creativity for people of all ages and backgrounds and these combined upgrades improve access throughout key areas of the gallery,” he said.
“There’s a tremendous level of artistic talent in Moree, and the dedicated staff at the Shire’s Gallery do a great job harnessing and displaying it.
“These upgrades as a whole go a long way towards ensuring a visit to the Moree Plains Gallery is a more comfortable, professional experience.”
Gallery curator Hannah Williamson said she was looking forward to hosting the next round of school holiday workshops.
“It makes everything a lot more accessible with clients but also we’ve had people painting outside because it’s covered now,” Ms Williamson said.
“We’ve been able to expand our space, get a little bit messier when painting – it’s really opened up new opportunities.”