The new art gallery project is taking shape, with the new committee planning a road trip to research ideas from other regional art galleries.
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The committee, formally named the Griffith Regional Art Gallery Community Committee, is made of up dedicated artists, curators and community members devoted to building a new gallery designed around Griffith's needs.
Hape Kiddle, a local artist, is on the committee and explained his vision for what the centre could be.
"The vision for the gallery is that it will be a space that fills a whole range of needs and opportunities for the community ... Art galleries these days have the opportunity to be so much more than just 'a place to view art' - they can facilitate classes and have a space for performance art, there's endless possibilities," he said.
He added that he would like to see a garden at the new gallery, and perhaps a cafe area for people to relax at.
When I consider the size and opulence of Griffith, I think we're deserving of a really special space.
- Hape Kiddle
The committee is hoping to be able to build the gallery on the empty lot next to the Visitor's Centre, which was originally going to host a rose garden that was shot down by Griffith City Council.
Mr Kiddle explained that his work as an artist had taken him to galleries across the state that had shown what an ideal community art gallery could be.
"I have a lot to do with galleries and I work as a casual for the current gallery ... There's new galleries being built, the ones in Albury and Hazelhurst are great examples of what a gallery could be," he said.
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While he was keen to take inspiration from others, he added that the best galleries are unique to their town.
"It has to be Griffith's art gallery but we'd be foolhardy not to look at others ... it's the sketching stage of an idea but we want to capture the heart of the community," Mr Kiddle said.
"It's still early on in the process but I think fundamentally, when I consider the size and opulence of Griffith, I think we're deserving of a really special space. We want to deliver something beautiful for this town, and the town deserves it."
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