THE much anticipated official opening of the Collie Art Gallery took place last Friday, July 17.
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Around 200 art lovers and guests came together as Shire President Wayne Sanford welcomed representatives from the Art Gallery of WA, the Collie and Districts Branch of the Bendigo Bank, Colin Holt MLA (Member for South West), South West Development Commission and the Bundanon Trust.
The Collie Art Gallery is the first purpose built A-Class art gallery to be opened anywhere in the state since the Art Gallery of Western Australia opened its doors more than 35 years ago.
It is also the first time the current exhibition, Act-Belong-Commit presents Arthur Boyd: An Active Witness has been on display in Western Australia from the Bundanon Trust in NSW.
Collie Shire President Wayne Sanford welcomed guests as Master of Ceremonies and commended the hard work and time that individuals, groups and businesses had committed to the Gallery project.
“I would like to say thank you to all of the corporate and individual sponsors and donors for their contributions to the project.”
“It didn’t pop up overnight; it had thorough research and consideration of building options in the planning process,” he said.
Cr Sanford said the gallery will provide a welcome hub for local creative to display their work.
“For many years Collie has been labelled a mining and industrial town which formed the perception that arts could not work in to the fabric of the town, the town has always needed somewhere to display its creative talents.”
“The Gallery has been a catalyst to bring together a strong and vibrant arts community.”
“I am sure this gallery will bring pleasure to the community for many years to come,” he said.
South West Development Commission CEO Don Punch, who is originally from Collie, said he was delighted to see how much growth Collie has experienced over the past few years.
“To see the amount of work that has gone in to the gallery and to the town over the years is fantastic.”
“To see Collie grow and shape up with fantastic buildings shows that Collie really has come of age,” he said.
Among the speakers local builder Greg White, who said that the opportunity to be involved in the building of the gallery was a challenge that took their company to a new level and showed just what could be achieved by Collie and local trades people.
Mr White was presented with a special appreciation award for his dedication to the project.
Collie and Districts Branch of the Bendigo Bank Chairman Ian Miffling spoke of the local bank’s commitment to investing back in to the community.
“When we had the opportunity to partner with the art gallery we really wanted to be a part of this iconic project for Collie and I think great things will come from the project.”
“The art community now has an identity and a place to be.”
“We are a community focused bank and are always look for the projects that add value to the community,” Mr Miffling said.
Chairperson of the Collie Art Gallery Elizabeth Lindsay praised the efforts of the Gallery committee and community for their involvement in the project.
“The Gallery group members have done a wonderful job and been amazing to work with.”
“We have had a lot of help from a lot of people and we are so grateful to everyone.”
“There are three factors that help towns to flourish in the arts- tolerance, technology and talent and Collie has all three in abundance,” she said.
Hon Colin Holt MLA officially declared the gallery open with the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon, and spoke of how the arts and culture bringing communities to life.
“For me communities come to life when culture attributes to a town, it comes when facilities like this exist to showcase the talents of the town.”
“A project like this brings Collie to life just a little bit more,” he said.
Mr Holt congratulated all those who were involved in bringing the Gallery to life, and the leaders who had the vision for a project of this scale.
“I would just like to congratulate everyone who has been involved in the project and thank them for the leadership and vision to bring a little more life in to the Collie community,” he said.
The Arthur Boyd: An Active Witness exhibition runs from 11am to 5pm Thursday to Monday until August 30.