Quilty joins Tweed Gallery gala

THE Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre Foundation will hold its annual gala fundraiser on June 14, with special guest Ben Quilty.

The event will celebrate the acquisition of Quilty’s Archibald prize-winning portrait Margaret Olley 2011, and raise funds to support future exhibitions, acquisitions, and programs.

A highlight will feature an exclusive first look at a suite of new still-life paintings by Quilty, featuring flowers grown in the artist’s garden and vases gifted to Quilty by Olley.

Director of Tweed Regional Gallery, Ingrid Hedgecock, said the gala would be a powerful blend of art, celebration, and legacy, with the new acquisition as its centrepiece.

“This collection-defining work of Margaret Olley – an Australian icon and Quilty’s dear friend and mentor – was painted in Margaret Olley’s final year of life,” Hedgecock said.

Ben Quilty said the gallery was home to Olley’s legacy and her work lived on through its masterful re-creation and thriving program.

“My portrait of Olley fits neatly in,” he said.

Although she was very reticent to sit for it, she loved the painting.

“My Archibald win was an exclamation mark to her extraordinarily well-lived life.”

Hedgecock said Quilty’s portrait of Olley captured not just her likeness, but her spirit, and was a testament to their enduring friendship.

“The relationship between the gallery and Ben Quilty is one of deep mutual respect, artistic kinship, and shared legacy,” she said.

“He was not only a close personal friend of Margaret Olley but also one of her great artistic admirers,” she said.

“His contributions help expand and enrich the Gallery’s collection while reinforcing its role as a living, evolving tribute to Olley’s influence on Australian art.”

Hedgecock said supporting the gallery gave people a meaningful stake in the cultural life of their community.

“It’s about more than just enjoying beautiful exhibitions; it’s about helping shape the future of the arts in the region,” she said.

“Events like the Gala are vital because they directly contribute to new acquisitions, innovative exhibitions, and programs that reach diverse audiences.

“Supporters are investing in creativity, education, and a shared sense of identity, and community involvement ensures the gallery remains vibrant, relevant, and accessible to all.”

Ticket options include an early VIP preview at 5 pm for sparkling wine and canapés with Quilty in celebration and to preview the new paintings before the main event.

For information and tickets, visit events.humanitix.com/ffbq