Art lovers Rhonda Miranda and Brian Sainty believe Griffith can have a new gallery within 10 years. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
While it seems clear Griffith won’t be getting a new art gallery anytime soon, a community group that has long advocated for one is determined to keep the momentum going.
In 2021, Griffith City Council pledged to build a new gallery in town within five years, as it was felt the existing facility at 167 Banna Avenue was too small.
But this plan became a whipping boy during the recent council election campaign, with several candidates questioning why a “high end of town” expense was being considered during a cost-of-living crisis when rates had been increased and potholes weren’t being fixed.
Both mayoral candidates Doug Curran and Anne Napoli conceded previous plans for both a new cultural precinct and gallery in town needed to be put off.
Community group Griffith Regional Art Gallery Inc (GRAG), which is made up of dozens of art lovers, acknowledge this reality, but are now gearing up for the long game.
“We understand that there’s not going to be a new gallery built in the next term of council,” GRAG president Brian Sainty said.
“Money is in short supply both federally, state, and locally. We’ve also heard statements by possible new councillors who have said they’re not interested in a gallery.
“In the next one to two years we’re going to have a lot more art shows and exhibitions, which will help in both the gallery and at other pop-up venues. For instance, at the Whitton Malt House next year, we’re going to have a couture exhibition of some of the best dresses over the ages.
“We will show the non-believers that art is worth supporting and continue to beat the drum and support local artists.”
GRAG members Lyndsay Sainty, Noel Hicks, Phoebe Harrison, Jan Barket, Leslie McCullough, Bob Barker, Andrew Craig, Lorna Craig, Rhonda Miranda and Brian Sainty all want a new art gallery built behind where they are standing, near the visitor’s centre. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Mr Sainty believes over time, GRAG will change the hearts and minds of both residents and councillors.
“[They] will learn that there’s something called ‘art tourism’; people travel and spend a lot of money to see visual forms of arts. In Canberra, more people go and spend more money on the arts than they do on sporting events,” he said.
“Council has spent a lot on a regional sports centre and swimming pool, but neither attract many tourists. The outdoor pool is a ‘no fun’ zone which is just for lap swimming.”
Mr Sainty said GRAG was hopeful a new art gallery would be built in Griffith within the next 10 years and said this could be done without hurting the hip pockets of ratepayers.
“We know that people in other areas have great galleries because they’ve had federal and state funding and also private donations from art benefactors. That’s how it can be done,” he said.
In 2023, Grififth council engaged an external consultant to canvass possible locations for a new “cultural precinct” that included both a gallery and theatre. According to the consultant’s final report, the two “preferred” sites for a new facility were alongside the town’s visitor centre or next to Griffith Regional Theatre and council chambers on Neville Place.
“In the next term of council, we would like to discuss and put to bed where a new gallery should be located. The vast majority of people want it to be located alongside the visitor’s centre,” Mr Sainty said.
Winery guru and fellow GRAG member Rhonda Miranda agreed.
“We would dearly love to secure the site so our committee can source funding from areas other than the Griffith City Council … 98 per cent of the community wants it there as per the results of the public submission. No-one can afford the proposed enormous structure near the council chamber,” she said.
Loading ...
