Apart from the array of bright and instantly fascinating objects in Gang Gang Gallery, the walls of the gallery itself seem to glow.
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Perhaps it's with the enthusiasm of the gallery’s director, Sharon Howard, or maybe the excitement of Lithgow itself, welcoming a new art space to Main Street and seeing the old premises of the Theatre Royal milk bar come to life.
“I have had lots of positive feedback, I don’t think there was a guest that didn’t come to talk to me and say how wonderful it was,” Ms Howard said.
The gallery enjoyed a packed opening night on October 21. Former curator of the Art Gallery of NSW Anthony Bond OAM officially opened the space.
“There was in excess of 140 people. It was vibrant and energetic, and there was just an incredible buzz in the room,” Ms Howard said of the event.
“It was a great opportunity for artists to enjoy each other and the space.”
Gang Gang Gallery, named after a native species of cockatoo with eye-catching red feathers, has been years in the making.
Sharon Howard and her husband Ross purchased 206 Main Street five years ago, without really know what they were going to do with the space.
“We loved the building and we spent a lot of time thinking about what it would be suited to.
“I visit a lot of galleries and I love art. And we thought, why not make it a gallery? It has high ceilings which is perfect for a gallery. It’s beautifully located and has a really nice aspect on to the park.”
Having grown up in the region, Ms Howard was also aware of the scope of artists in the local area.
“It’s a contemporary privately owned gallery, featuring emerging and established artists of all mediums. It’s a showcase of works in a high-end gallery for all people who appreciate art.
“There’s a lot of artists in the gallery who live here or are new here after living in Sydney, but they have sold and exhibited internationally as well.”
Apart from acting as gallery, Ms Howard hopes to use the space as an artistic hub for the community, hosting art classes, such as live drawing, pottery and floristry, functions and maybe even doubling as a cafe.
She said encouraging artistic practice can only be a good thing for Lithgow.
“Artists bring energy to a community, they create interest and excitement,” she said.
“My vision is to encourage artists and new artists to pursue what they love. It’s a lovely space to exhibit work, and I want artists to be proud that they are being exhibited in Lithgow.”
“I hope the gallery exposes people to different styles of art and makes people realise that there is beautiful art in so many different forms.”
The gallery’s opening exhibition ‘From Conception to Reality’ features works by nationally renowned artists, including artists working in the Lithgow region such as Kay Booker, Nyree Reynolds, Ronald Frederick and Warwick Fuller.
A selection of past works from Lithgow High School included in ARTEXPRESS are also on display.
Ms Howard said the gallery already has four major exhibitions line up for 2018.
