Since opening in December 2002, Artspace Mackay has had over 30,000 people through its doors, including 15,000 in the last three months. The $3.2 million complex is ideally located in the City’s Civic Precinct which includes the Mackay Entertainment Centre, Library, Council Chambers, Senior Citizens Centre and extensive open air performance space.
Assisted by funding through the Queensland Heritage Trails Network, Artspace is testament to Council’s vision to create a vibrant community. This purpose built, multi functional gallery has 100 metres of hanging space, and is one of the best regional art galleries in Australia.
Meeting international standards in regard to climate control, security, facilities, storage and lighting, Artspace is able to host most major exhibitions. Recently Exploring Outback: Artists Responses to Life on the Land featured works by some of Australia’s best known artists, such as Hans Heysen, Rex Battarbee, Sir Sidney Nolan, Russell Drysdale and Albert Namatjira.
“This exhibition was developed to celebrate 2002 Year of the Outback and examines the various ways in which artists from the colonial period to the present day have represented life in the interior of Australia,” said Robert Heather, Artspace Mackay Director. “The exhibition acknowledged the role artists have played in forming and giving expression to Australia’s sense of national identity.”
Although its core function is art exhibitions, Artspace has a permanent social history section that includes displays and a large screen presentation of various oral history accounts. The foyer area is available for social functions and meeting areas can be used for art classes, seminars and workshops. Artspace’s reading room houses what is believed to be Australia’s largest collection of artists books. These are hand made books by individual artists featuring a selection of their original works.
Foodspace provides indoor and alfresco café dining. Opened last May, Foodspace has assisted in boosting visitor numbers and the tourism potential of the venue.
This year, Artspace has taken out two architectural awards, as well as an award for Heritage and Tourism in the Mackay region.
The facility is supported by an enthusiastic team of 40 volunteers who run the reception desk and conduct guided tours. Most have undertaken Aussie Host training to ensure people gain the most from their visit to Artspace.
