Hamilton Gallery will soon commence vital climate control and lighting upgrades which will enable the Gallery to develop and host nationally significant exhibitions.
These upgrades will also safeguard the unique collection for years to come and importantly will be utilised within the New Hamilton Gallery development.
Hamilton Gallery Director, Joshua White said these upgrades will allow the Gallery to meet industry standards.
“Without reliable conditions, the Gallery is limited in loaning artworks and touring shows from other institutions, particularly from major galleries such as the National Gallery of Victoria and the National Gallery of Australia,” said Mr White.
“We are currently working on major exhibitions of international significance; the first occurring over summer 2023/2024 once works are complete.
“Hosting these exhibitions is an important step in attaining support and funding for the New Hamilton Gallery,” concluded Mr White.
The Gallery was successful in attaining $549,678 in state government funding to address fluctuating temperature, humidity, and lux (brightness) last year.
Industry-leading climate control specialists, D&E Air Conditioning were awarded the tender for the new climate control system at the February Council Meeting, and local business Comtek Electrical were awarded the tender for the lighting project.
Gallery staff will commence in March the significant task of relocating thousands of collection items from storage areas within the Gallery to enable works to begin.
The first-floor will be closed at the conclusion of the exhibition “Here and Now” from Monday 27 February 2023 until works are completed. The ground-floor and mezzanine levels will remain open until mid-April, with the current free exhibition ‘Icons: Australian Art’ extended.
Hamilton Gallery has programmed a series of creative workshops in spaces beyond the gallery walls during the interruption to gallery opening hours.
Residents and visitors can stay up-to-date with programming and reopening information on the Hamilton Gallery website and social media accounts.