Local artists take flight

THE District Council of Grant has officially opened The Hangar Gallery at the Mount Gambier Regional Airport, launching with the inaugural Art-Ability Exhibition.

Running from September 2025 to February 2026, the Art-Ability Exhibition celebrates the diverse talents of people living with disability, showcasing 38 artworks from artists across the Limestone Coast.

Mayor Kylie Boston said the opening of The Hangar Gallery is an exciting opportunity to bring the Airport terminal space to life.

“The Hangar Gallery represents Council’s vision to transform the Airport into more than just a gateway to the Limestone Coast. It is now a place to share the stories of our region through art,” Mayor Boston said.

“We are especially proud to officially launch the gallery with the Art-Ability Exhibition as it perfectly reflects what the space is about; highlighting inclusion, diversity and our community.”

The Art-Ability Exhibition is an initiative of Council’s Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel to celebrate International Day of People with Disability on 3 December 2025. The day aims to increase awareness, understanding and acceptance of people living with disability.

Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel Chair and Councillor Katherine Greene said the project is a meaningful way for Council to promote equitable inclusion.

“The exhibition is about breaking down barriers, celebrating creativity and ensuring people with disability are recognised as equal and valued members of our community,” Cr Greene said.

“For many of the artists, this is the first time their work will be displayed publicly which makes the exhibition all the more special. Showcasing their creativity not only recognises their talent but also reinforces the importance of access, inclusion and diversity across all areas of our community. I encourage everyone to visit the gallery and show their support for our talented local artists.”

The exhibition features a mixture of paintings, drawings and photography, many of which are for sale, each offering a glimpse into the unique perspectives of the artists.

Local artist Dean Marks, creator of the work titled Brindabella, shared how art became an important part of his recovery after a hit-and-run motorcycle accident that left him with extensive nerve and spinal injuries.

“As a therapy, I spent a lot of time at the [Werribee Range] Zoo. I’d go for a drive down to the zoo and it was relaxing, and I could just watch the animals and I didn’t have to walk very far. I started taking all these photos… but sitting out there and waiting [to photograph animals] taught my brain to kind of calm down again and grab a hold of a bit of peace,” Mr Marks said.

Brindabella was inspired by one of the hippopotamuses he photographed at the zoo. He later turned the photo into a drawing following multiple surgeries to regain feeling in his hand and reduce hand tremors.

“The big thing for me I think, and other people displaying things will be the same, that what they hope is that people appreciate what they’ve done, that it took effort. Sometimes for some people that effort and concentration and time is a lot harder… [Brindabella] took me nearly two months to draw.”

For other artists, the exhibition provides a different kind of voice. Rasika Gamage, mother of featured digital artist Amaya Gamage, said the exhibition is especially meaningful because it allows her daughter to express herself through her artwork.

“[Amaya] had a speech development delay, I think this is her voice. We currently have a video that her dad did on her artwork and we named it as Amaya’s Artists Voice. That’s her voice, that’s how she expresses [herself],” Mrs Gabage said.

“She always loves having her artwork on the wall… that’s her hobby plus that’s what she’s doing, she’s studying art.”

As part of the exhibition, three artists will be recognised with a People’s Choice Award as chosen by the community. Members of the public are invited to view the artworks and cast their votes by 5:00pm Friday 21 November 2025 at The Hangar Gallery or online at yoursaydcg.com.au/art-ability-exhibition. Winners will be announced on Tuesday 3 December 2025 in celebration of International Day of People with Disability.

District Council of Grant Chief Executive Officer Darryl Whicker highlighted how the exhibition reflects Council’s ongoing focus on access and inclusion.

“The Art-Ability Exhibition supports Council’s goal of embedding disability access and inclusion into our business-as-usual processes. If we all make small and consistent efforts to improve accessibility and inclusion each day, it can positively impact our community significantly,” Mr Whicker said.

“This initiative reflects the strong work of our Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel and Council’s ongoing commitment to achieve a fully inclusive society that values and respects all people as equal and contributing members of the community.”

Building on this momentum, Council will now begin reviewing its Disability Access and Inclusion Plan, alongside the Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel.