New Art Gallery for Airlie Beach

 After years of being little more than a community’s dream, Airlie Beach now has an art gallery space, located at the site of the previous post office in the heart of the CBD.

 It was nearly three years ago that Airlie’s councillor Jan Clifford attended a Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) conference on the scenic rim, where a presenter talked about initiating exactly this type of project in Newcastle, NSW.

 “I heard him speak, got some information from him, came racing back here and presented it to council’s CEO. John Finlay was very excited about the prospect and basically said, “What can I do?” Since then it’s been a case of talking to Real Estate agents and eventually Nathan Leman and the team at Trustees Australia Ltd, (TAu) were the first ones to take up the opportunity,” Ms Clifford said.

 Ms Clifford, who called in to the new gallery on Monday, said she could “nearly burst into tears” at the realisation of the vision. Ms Clifford also said a “big thanks” must go to Whitsunday Regional Council for getting the gallery, which is part of the “Renew Airlie” project, off the ground.

 “This is only possible because of council’s efforts. They’ve drawn up the leases and they’re covering the insurance (under RADF). I’d also really like to acknowledge the generosity of Mr Michael Hackett’s group (TAu), the owners of the building space,” she said.

 “Now when the cruise ships come into town there will be something quintessentially Whitsundays for them to see and buy.”

 Art Whitsunday member Jellena Demartini said the not-for-profit organisation had “jumped at the chance to have a space like this”.

 “Mackay has ‘Art Space’, now we have a start in that direction,” Ms Demartini said.

 Ms Demartini said the gallery would be manned entirely by Art Whitsunday members on a volunteer basis, with a changing exhibition every month. A ‘soft’ opening will be held on October 21, in honour of WRC and other parties who made the project possible. This will be followed by a gala opening for the general public at a date yet to be confirmed.

 Ms Clifford said she hoped this was just the beginning of what could become a blueprint for other ‘galleries’ around the region.

 “I’m now hoping we’ll get some more exhibitors and even potentially another building. Now this is up and running I’m hoping some other landlords with empty shops might see the benefits and join the project too,” she said.