At this year's bentART exhibition artists and art lovers were treated to a new lighting and gallery-hanging system in the front hall of the Wentworth Falls School of Arts.
The upgrade to this gallery space was made possible through bentART's successful application for a community building partnership grant in 2017. The new lighting and hanging equipment were delivered in association with council.
Juls McWhirter, bentART president, said: "The project's aim was to develop a vibrant, sustainable and inclusive community space by improving the building's gallery facilities. We are really pleased that the community building partnership grant of $18,968 together with funds and in-kind contributions from bentART and BMCC has delivered over $22,000 of work.
"It has vastly improved the gallery space which benefits not only bentART but other local artists and arts groups in our community who may wish to hire the space."
The new facilities at the Wentworth Falls School of Arts include a museum-grade gallery lighting system, gallery hanging systems, including gallery system droppers and hooks. The internal walls of the front hall have also been freshly repainted.
"The new lighting has a lamp life of 50,000 hours, which will be in excess of 15 years and reduce running cost by 88 per cent," said Ms McWhirter.
"All of this work has created a professional art space available to all community members, in particular, local art groups, art societies, camera clubs or anyone wishing to exhibit artworks."
Ward 2 councillor Romola Hollywood, who attended the bentART exhibition opening on the June long weekend, welcomed the new facilities and paid tribute to the work of the bentART committee for applying for the grant and for their time liaising with council to deliver this new gallery infrastructure.
"It's fantastic to see the new lighting and gallery-hanging system in place. I thank the committee for their vision to improve the gallery space in the front hall at the Wentworth Falls School of Arts. Good lighting and display really enables us to appreciate the creativity and talents of our local visual artists.
"I am sure many other arts organisations and artists will be keen to use the upgraded gallery facilities," she said.