News + Media Releases

CALLEEN ART AWARD 2020 – 4 October to 15 November 2020

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

EXHIBITION LAUNCH AND SPECIAL PREVIEW EVENT

The Calleen Art Award is a prestigious art prize in regional New South Wales and open to artists across Australia. A significant feature of the Calleen Art Award since the presentation of the first award in 1977 has been the prevailing trend to focus on contemporary painting in any style or subject, now a condition of entry since 2009.This celebrated acquisitive art prize and major Gallery event was founded by art patron and collector Mrs Patricia Fagan, OAM and is now worth $20,000 in prize money courtesy of the Calleen Trust. The winning work will join Calleen Collection at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery. This year the Calleen Art Award exhibition comprises the work of 52 finalists selected from 330 entries from across Australia by a panel of art professionals.

For the first time in the history of the Calleen Art Award the of the winner for 2020 will be announced by this year’s Award Judge Mr Steven Alderton, Director and CEO, National Art School on Saturday 3 October 2020, via a virtual opening event, live-streamed from 7pm on the Gallery Facebook.

Art enthusiasts can watch the event at http://www.facebook.com/cowraregionalartgallery/

(A recording of the event will follow on the Gallery website at a later date).

By way of seeing the finalists exhibition prior to the announcement of the winner the Gallery would like to invite visitors to a special free preview from 1.30pm to 4pm on Saturday 3 October with bookings made on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/calleen-art-award-2020-exhibition-preview-registration-118575535619

Due to COVID-19 restrictions each preview time slot is limited to 30 minutes and 15 visitors (including children).

Cowra Regional Art Gallery is located at 77 Darling Street Cowra NSW 2794.

Gallery hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am-4pm. Sunday 2pm-4pm. ADMISSION FREE

For more information contact Brian Langer Gallery Director on 0429072282 or blanger@cowra.nsw.gov.au

Obsessed: Compelled to make – 1 August to 13 September 2020

Thursday, August 6, 2020

A major touring exhibition from the Australian Design Centre (ADC), Sydney Obsessed: Compelled to make commenced at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery on Saturday 1 August. The exhibition is a showcase of innovative textiles, ceramics, furniture, metalwork, jewellery, conceptual art, glass and sculptural weaving by 14 contemporary artists from across Australia and nominated local artist Greg Daly. The exhibition seeks to celebrate the work of a selection of leading artists as well as highlight why making is important to us, how we make, what motivates us to make and why more of us are making than ever before.

Through a series of short documentaries commissioned as part of the exhibition visitors will experience an insight into the working life of each artist including a look at the complexities of their materials and processes, the realities of their studio routine and unravel their creative process. These short documentaries are also available to view at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery website during the exhibition.

“The exhibition “Obsessed: Compelled to make is a unique opportunity for visitors to the Cowra Regional Art Gallery to engage with innovative artworks of awe-inspiring creativity and experience the complexities of making in a studio environment”. Brian Langer, Gallery Director.

Exhibition artists at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery are: Gabriella Bisetto | Lorraine Connelly-Northey |  Honor Freeman | Jon Goulder  | Kath Inglis | Laura McCusker | Elliat Rich and James B Young (Elbowrkshp) | Kate Rohde | Oliver Smith | Vipoo Srivilasa | Tjunkaya Tapaya |Louise Weaver | Liz Williamson | Greg Daly (nominated artist) .

The exhibition is an Australian Design Centre national touring exhibition presented with assistance from the Australian Government Visions of Australia program. The Cowra Regional Art Gallery is a cultural facility of the Cowra Shire Council and supported by Create NSW.    

Exhibition Dates: 1 August to 13 September 2020                         

Cowra Regional Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 2pm to 4pm. Admission is free.

For further information, please contact Brian Langer – blanger@cowra.nsw.gov.au   (02) 63402192 or 0429022282

Behind the Lines exhibition

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Cowra Regional Art Gallery will launch its 2020 program this Saturday 8 February 2020 at 2.30pm with the opening of an exciting exhibition which gives the local community and visitors to the district an all access pass to enjoy the bumper crop of the best political cartoons from the year that was. The exhibition titled The Greatest Hits Tour features over 80 political cartoons by over 30 of Australia’s leading political cartoonists.

From the federal election to the woes of Brexit, no politician, party or policy is safe from the nation’s best cartoonists; witty, powerful or ribald, they have offered in their own inimitable styles an astutely observed journey through twelve months in our political life and the personalities of our politicians.

Framed by the world of rock music the best of the nation’s cartoonists drew politicians as musicians belting out some old-time favourites and a few new tunes. All parties were talking up their playlists for the 2019 federal election with the ALP belting out some guitar-shredding new tunes. In the end though, its the voters who decides which band leads the country on tour for the next three years.

The exhibition is also a celebration that the long tradition of Australian political cartooning lives on. Ready to make us laugh or cry over the politics of the day.

Jennifer Forest, the curator of the 2019 iteration of Behind the Lines, said that the theme for this year’s exhibition is grounded in the musical undertones of many of the political cartoons featured in the exhibition. “The theme, The Greatest Hits Tour, represents the loud and noisy year of politics in 2019 both in Australia and overseas.” Ms Forest said.

Exhibition Dates: 9 February to 15 March 2020

Cowra Regional Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 2pm to 4pm. Admission is free.

Behind the Lines is a travelling exhibition developed by the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, proudly supported by the National Collection Institutions Touring and Outreach program, an Australian Government program aiming to improve access to the national collections for all Australians.

For further information, please contact Brian Langer – blanger@cowra.nsw.gov.au (02) 6340 2192 or 0429 072 282

Summer ‘must-see’ exhibitions and children’s activities at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Illustration by John Kudelka.

This summer, the Cowra Regional Art Gallery is presenting two exciting and stimulating exhibitions. Opening on Saturday December 14, 2019 at 6pm is the exhibition The Calleen Collection 1977–2019, a vibrant and diverse collection of artworks featuring the winners of the acquisitive Calleen Art Award established by Cowra arts patron Mrs Patricia Fagan, OAM in 1977. This splendid foundation collection of artworks is wide-ranging and exemplifies the diverse and open-ended stylistic trends of Australian art (mainly painting) during the past forty years. The exhibition continues to Sunday February 2, 2020.

During the summer school holidays, the Gallery is presenting creative and fun activities for children from 7 to 9 years and 10 to 12 years. These Summer Art Workshops will take place on January 23 and 24, 2020 and are designed to include art activities in a fun environment as well as allowing for the development of individual skills. All workshops are $20pp (including materials) and numbers are limited. For more information and to register, contact the Gallery on 6340 2190.

Finally, save a date between February 8 to March 15, 2020 to visit the Cowra Regional Art Gallery for the humorous and thought-provoking exhibition Behind the Lines: The Years Best Political Cartoons for 2019. Each year the Behind the Lines exhibition features a broad selection of political cartoons from around Australia, providing an insight into the year in Australian politics. It celebrates the role of political cartoonists in Australia and highlights the power that their drawings have in contributing to our daily political and social discourse.

The Cowra Regional Art Gallery is located at 77 Darling Street, Cowra NSW 2794
Hours open: Tuesday to Saturday 10am–4pm, Sunday 2pm–4pm. Admission free.

The Gallery is closed from Saturday December 21 and reopens Tuesday January 7, 2020.

The Cowra Regional Art Gallery is a cultural facility of the Cowra Shire Council and supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

Please contact Gallery Director, Brian Langer on 0429 072 282 for more information.

2020 Summer Art Workshops For Children

Thursday, December 5, 2019

The 2020 Summer Art Workshops are designed by tutors with professional art and/or teaching experience. The workshop program includes a range of art activities in a fun environment as well as allowing for the development of individual skills.

Registration Form | PDF download

Thursday 23 January 2020
Woven Art Workshop with Libby Murray

7–9 years: Workshop participants will create a small wall hanging using natural and man-made materials.
10–12 years: Participants will create a circular placemat/mat or wall hanging using natural and man-made materials.
Session 1: 10am–12.30pm, 7 to 9 year olds
Cost $20 – limit 10 participants (includes all materials).
Session 2: 1pm–3.30pm, 10 to 12 year olds.
Cost $20 – limit 10 participants (includes all materials).

Friday 24 January 2020
Cardboard and Paper Sculptures with Libby Murray

7–9 years: Workshop participants will learn a variety of paper sculpture techniques to create a hanging paper garland and/or sculpture.
10–12 years: Participants will use a variety of techniques to create a 3D cardboard name or portrait sculpture.
Session 1: 10am–12.30pm, 7 to 9 year olds
Cost $20 – limit 10 participants (includes all materials).
Session 2: 1pm–3.30pm, 10 to 12 year olds
Cost $20 – limit 10 participants (includes all materials).

General Information

Bookings can be made by telephone on 6340 2190, however, only a completed registration form and payment will secure a workshop place. Only one registration form per child. Forms can be photocopied or a new form can be obtained by contacting the Gallery.

Remember workshop numbers are limited (See registration information). Places fill quickly. To avoid disappointment REGISTER EARLY.

Mail your registration form and payment (cheque or money order by mail no cash) to:

Cowra Regional Art Gallery
77 Darling Street, Cowra NSW 2794
or hand deliver your form with your payment.

Enrolments cancelled after Friday 17 January 2020 will forfeit the workshop unless the position can be filled.

The Gallery reserves the right to combine classes if minimum enrolments are not reached. If a session is cancelled due to low enrollments prepaid fees will be refunded.

Where: The Nguluway Room (formerly Multipurpose Room), 77 Darling Street

Car parking: Car parking is located next to the Art Gallery off Darling Street.

What to Wear

All participants are advised to wear appropriate old clothing or a smock and enclosed shoes. Participants should bring a snack and drink.

The organisers will not be responsible for any damage to clothing or loss of personal property.