Gallery renovations almost complete - Huge number of entries for 2800 show

The Orange Regional Gallery is the winner in the latest NSW Government art funding round, with $54,500 for the refurbishment of Orange Regional Gallery, to be matched dollar-for-dollar by Orange City Council.

Member for Orange Andrew Gee congratulated Orange City Council on their success in accessing the funding program which supports capital works projects and equipment.

The project includes improvements to flooring, main reception and removal of furnishings to create greater exhibition space. The refurbishment coincides with the launch of the neighbouring Orange Regional Museum and increased visitation to the precinct.

Mr Gee said he was proud to once again present funding to a local, passionate art organisation that is working hard in the community to keep Orange on the map as a go-to arts and cultural hot spot.

UPGRADE : For the first time in its thirty year history, the Orange Regional Gallery will be renovated in a program jointly funded by the NSW Government and Orange City Council. Member for Orange Andrew Gee made the funding announcement along with Orange mayor John Davis.

“Arts and cultural facilities are the lifeblood of many regional communities, providing opportunities for people to engage with a range of art forms and local history,” Mr Gee said.

“This funding will help the Orange City Council deliver exhibitions of international significance as well as ongoing programs for young people and people with a disability. It will also provide an improved visitor experience for both tourists and its local audience.

“I am very excited for Orange City Council on their success and am proud the NSW Government is partnering with it so more people in our community can enjoy and utilise its services.”

Orange Mayor John Davis has welcomed the NSW Government funding.

“The gallery opened in 1986 and after thirty years it’s time for a major internal refurbishment,” Cr John Davis said.

“It’s been good that we could time this upgrade to coincide with the construction of the new museum and eventually with the opening of the new Visitors centre and café.

ON-SHOW : Art teacher at Canobolas High School, Gabrielle Lindsay pictured with a ceramic art work and a four-panel painting which she’s entered for the 2800 show which opens on Friday night.

Art teacher at Canobolas High School, Gabrielle Lindsay is one of more than a hundred Orange residents, excitedly looking forward to seeing her work on the walls of the newly-renovated Orange Regional Gallery when it re-opens on Friday night.

‘The 2800 Show’ is the first exhibition in recent years to exclusively feature the work of people who live in the Orange postcode area.

There was a constant stream of residents at the gallery earlier this week as the blend of professional and amateur artists turned up to unload their prized paintings and sculptures.

“It’s important for us to be getting some exposure with our own work,” Gabrielle Lindsay said.

“It’s good for us as practising artists and teachers. That’s really, really important.”

“It gives local artists a chance to exhibit their work at somewhere like a regional gallery in a way they wouldn’t necessarily get the opportunity to do.”

Because of space constraints, the exhibition was limited to a maximum of three art-works per person. “It was hard to choose three,” Ms Lindsay admits, who eventually opted for one painting as well as a ceramic work and a small sculpture in the shape of a book.

Gallery Director Lisa Loader admits there were more entries than were expected.

"Even though we're very aware that there is a real passion for the visual arts in the Orange community, we had not anticipated there would be such a large number of artists submitting works,” Lisa Loader said. "There is a huge variety of work being produced in the region and it is well represented in this show.”