New Art Gallery boosts University’s cultural contribution to Coast
23 July, 2004
USC opened its new public Art Gallery on Thursday July 22, with
an exciting indigenous art exhibition celebrating ceremony, life
and land.
The new Gallery will boost the University's contribution to the
artistic and cultural development of the Sunshine Coast.
The stunning copper-plated building is in keeping with the
cutting edge architectural designs on the campus and is part of the
fifth stage of development which includes the Information
Communications Technology Building, a grassed common area and a new
café.
USC Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Thomas, said the Art Gallery
was made a reality with support from the community.
"It is through generous support from the public that the Art
Gallery was completed," Professor Thomas said.
"The University Foundation raised more than $500,000 from
community donations and these funds have funded the new
building."
"It has been an outstanding response and we thank those donors
for their support," Professor Thomas said.
"In addition to the direct donations, events such as the
Australian String Quartet concert in May helped raise funds for the
Gallery and these events were well attended by the community."
The Gallery will house visiting exhibitions during the
University semesters with eight exhibitions held per year.
The latest art exhibition, The Art of Balgo, was also launched
at the Gallery opening on July 22 and features indigenous artists
from the Balgo Hills on the edge of the Great Sandy and Tanami
Deserts and depicts a connection with ceremony, life and land.
USC Art Gallery Director, Lisa Chandler thanked the community
for their support of the new Gallery.
"Thanks to the outstanding support of the community, the
University is able to open the Gallery to the public for free six
days a week and we invite everyone to come along and view the new
building and latest exhibition," Ms Chandler said.
"The impressive array of indigenous art currently exhibited is
from the privately owned Cowan collection," Ms Chandler said.
"The collection is of 30 vibrant works by indigenous artists
such as Eubena Muntja, Lucy Yukenbarri and John Mosquito as well as
a number of emerging new artists from the Balgo Hills area,' she
said.
The University of the Sunshine Coast Gallery is open to the
public:
10am - 4pm weekdays
1pm - 4pm Saturday
Normally closed Sundays but the Art of Balgo exhibition will be
open on:
Sunday 22 August 10am - 4pm for University Open Day and
Sunday 29 August 10am - 4pm for Festuri
Closed public holidays.
Entry is free.