Gallery to semi-relocate to plush Town Hall environs

ONE of the jewels in the region’s heritage-rich architectural crown, the Bendigo Town Hall, will host a number of on-site exhibitions during the remainder of the Bendigo Art Gallery’s redevelopment.

The building, constructed in the early 1860s, is renowned for its ornate decor including 22-carat gold leaf plasterwork, as well as its grand staircase, stained glass windows and decorative ceilings.

Gallery director Jessica Bridgfoot said the interim set-up will be different to how people usually experience the premises.

“We’ll be running two different seasons of large-scale Australian and international artists’ special commissions that are site-specific,” she said.

“So, expect to see a large, immersive sculptural installation in what we call the main hall.

“Then, if you head upstairs to what was the council chamber, we will be creating an immersive video experience in there.”

Bridgfoot said the gallery will also be opening some of the lesser-known spaces within the hall, such as the original historic council meeting room.

“We’ll have some contemporary art interventions in there, as well as rehanging the public areas of the building with historic artworks and objects,” she said.

She said the initiative also represented an opportunity to improve the hall’s facilities.

“Obviously, there’s been some flood damage and some remediation works going on, and if you’ve ever been there for a function during summer or winter, you would understand how brutal it can be,” she said.

“So, we’re going to be doing a series of upgrades to the building to bring it into the 21st century and make it into an all-season round, usable community and premier event space.

“When we move out, you’ll expect to see more community activity in there and more events run by Bendigo Venues & Events.”

More details on planned exhibitions and activations will be announced in the coming months.