(Photo: Chelsea Sipthorp)
November 26, 2013
Wondai Regional Art Gallery was presented with a 2013 GAMMA (Gallery and Museum Achievement Award) in a ceremony in Brisbane on Friday night.
Gallery curator Elaine Madill accepted the award from Arts Minister Ian Walker.
The annual State Awards are organised by Museum and Gallery Services Queensland to encourage continuous improvement and development of galleries, museums and related cultural organisations throughout the State.
Wondai Regional Art Gallery won the Organisations category for galleries/museums run by volunteers for the construction of “The Studio”, the multi-purpose workroom extension to the gallery.
The Judges’ Citation commended Wondai Regional Art Gallery for “strategically identifying and addressing a need within the gallery and the community. The Studio extension has enabled the gallery to address new programming and to extend its potential audience and stakeholder base, thereby increasing its long-term sustainability.”
The judges acknowledged the achievement of the volunteer-run organisation in demonstrating the leadership and drive to realise the project.
Officially opened in December 2012, The Studio is now used on a daily basis by a diverse range of individuals and groups, with activities including adult and children’s art classes and workshops, choir practices, local musical groups, tai chi and yoga classes and meetings.
For its win, the gallery received a trophy crafted by an artist from the Girringuin Aboriginal Centre and goods donated by Archival Survival.
- Related Article: A Studio Space For All
The text of Elaine Madill’s award acceptance speech appears below:
The Hon Ian Walker, Rebeekah Butler & Staff, Mayors & Councillers, Mr Stan Taylor – Acting General Manager South Burnett Regional Council, Ladies & Gentlemen:
Eight years ago I became president of the management committee of the Wondai Regional Art Gallery. I joined the Regional Art Development Fund Committee and we started accessing professional artists for workshops.
We used an old community hall which was freezing in winter, sweltering in summer and was eventually condemned. I realized very quickly that we needed to work toward building our own workshop facility.
And so started our journey.
In some ways this project cemented the community together with a purpose. As I have said many times since, the whole community has taken ownership of the gallery … partly because of this project.
All of this was before amalgamation and we had a very supportive local council who helped us draw up plans. And after a few hiccups and changes we had an idea of what we needed.
And now came the fun part … how to pay for it?
Well. this is where the whole community became involved.
The local country markets in the park became available and we were asked if we would like to take them on. And I realized that there might be some advantages for the gallery as we could use our “yet to be built workshop” on market days for homemade or handmade goods. This could support our artists and bring in some extra money for the gallery.
Now there was only one problem: I would have to be in the park at 5am in the morning, which meant pitch black, freezing cold in the middle of winter. And as you can imagine. I did not have too many helpers.
All the same, we went ahead and by the time the project was finished the gallery had raised $30,000.
The new amalgamated South Burnett Regional Council provided $30,000. We also received a Queensland Government Regional Infrastructure Grant for $50,000. And so the workshop – with the help of some wonderful male volunteers to finish it – cost $130,000.
So here we are today with this marvellous facility which we have called “The Studio”.
It has become the hub of our community with art workshops run by local artists and RADF workshops run by the gallery.
We have also opened up The Studio to Tai Chi, Yoga, the Wondai CWA & Community Choir, Games Day, Murgon Photography Club, a Music Group and many more – and all of this in the space of less than a year.
We can now work in air conditioned comfort with proper white lighting, disabled toilet and kitchen facilities.
It has also given us the extra space that we are needing on our Opening Nights which are the first Friday of the month with wine, food and music if anyone is interested in joining us.
In closing I would like to thank certain people.
First of all, Noreen Brier for writing the submission. And Rebeekah, Debra and her team for organizing this award – it is a wonderful way for regional galleries and museums to be recognized.
When you are working in a small community like Wondai with a population of 2,500 it is a great feeling to know that you have someone like Museum and Gallery Services to call on for advice. I have called on Rebeekah, Debra and her team many times and I thank you all very much.
I would also like to thank the judges for giving up their time to go through all the nominations. I am sure it was not an easy task. And I would like to thank ‘Archival Survival’ for their financial support. We will use the $1,000 wisely and it is most welcome. As you can imagine the coffers are a bit low and equipment for the gallery is not something that we have been able to focus on lately.
Last, but not least, I would like to thank Mr Brian Tucker for this beautiful trophy. I believe Brian is a true friend of the arts and we are lucky to have him as a friend of our gallery and the arts community as a whole.
Once again ladies and gentlemen, thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight and to focus on our beautiful new gallery space.
Thank you.
