Bridge Art Project secretary Lynne Gillard and committee chair Carina Doolan are looking forward to opening the Moama Art Gallery.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
The Bridge Art Project committee is counting down to opening day, with its new Moama Art Gallery expected to be handed over by contractors within the next week.
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The gallery was constructed off-site before being transported to Moama in early May, where the 11 modular building sections were lifted into place over two nights.
Since then, contractors have focused on completing the internal fit-out, landscaping and connecting the necessary utilities.
Local businesses including Clean Peak Solar and Coolabah Turf have also contributed donations and services.
Committee chair Carina Doolan said the project's impending completion marked the culmination of a vision first developed more than 13 years ago.
“It is a massive accomplishment,” she said.
“It was the vision and not-for-profit committee that came together all those years ago, and here we are 14 years later to actually open the doors.”
The gallery will feature two gallery spaces for exhibitions, as well as a café with indoor and outdoor dining and a gift shop for visitors.
A community centre with full audiovisual features will also be available for local groups and organisations to hire.
Bridge Art Project committee chair Carina Doolan and secretary Lynne Gillard in front of the new Moama Art Gallery.
Photo by
Lua Ikenasio
With the development on the cusp of completion, Ms Doolan said they were now looking forward to welcoming guests into the space.
“We're in the thick of planning our soft launch happening in August... for all our supporters that have been behind us all the way,” she said.
“It'll be a really special event and... we're bringing in artwork as a delayed exhibition from NAIDOC Week, which is really exciting.
“And we're also in the throes now of our events planning for our community open day, which is later in September, and we'll do an announcement soon around that.”
As the construction comes together, the committee is continuing its fundraising efforts to support the gallery's future operations.
The gallery is partnering with Morrison's Winery for a cocktail fundraiser on Friday, September 18 and is also running a Father's Day golf ball competition at Rich River Golf Club, where 1500 golf balls will be launched from a cannon.
The ball closest to the pin will win $5000, with second and third prizes of $1000 and $500 respectively.
Enough tickets have been sold to cover the prize pool, so all additional sales will directly support the gallery's ongoing development.
Any people interested in being part of the gallery in other capacities, including as cafe proprietors, artists and volunteers, are invited to contact the Bridge Art Project committee.
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