ABOUT
Housed in an iconic modernist building and set among beautiful botanical gardens, the Benalla Art Gallery offers an unforgettable experience of art. Since its beginnings, the Benalla Art Gallery has become one of Australia’s premier regional art galleries.
The Gallery program is delivered across four main pillars of activity: Exhibitions, Engagement, Education, and Collection. The Gallery attracts in excess of 70,000 exhibition visitors each year, who engage with workshops, artist talks, exhibition openings and other Gallery events every year. The Gallery presents an important art education program for students across North East Victoria. The Benalla Art Gallery Collection spans three centuries of Australian art, and is recognised as having artistic, historic, and community significance.
HISTORY
The concept for the Benalla Art Gallery dates from 1965 and was driven by a small group of local citizens. The Gallery was initially based in the RSL Hall in Nunn Street in 1968, and interest in a purpose-built art gallery was generated.
In 1972, Laurence H. Ledger made an offer of his collection to the City of Benalla, and a further $75,000 towards the cost of a new gallery building. This gallery proposal was put to a compulsory community ballot in 1973, and won resounding support. The Gallery and its fledgling Collection quickly established a firm footing as a key focal point for community civic pride.
Noted architects Philip Sargeant and Colin Munro were appointed to design the purpose-built Benalla Art Gallery, perched between the banks of Lake Benalla and the Benalla Botanical Gardens. The new Gallery opened in its picturesque setting in 1975, and has since provided the foundation of Benalla’s artistic and creative culture.
TEAM
Staff
Eric Nash | Director
Brenda Wellman | Education & Public Programs Curator
Katherine Hauptmann | Administration and Customer Relations Officer
Trish McGann | Art Gallery Assistant
Tegan Nash | Education & Public Programs Curator
Rachael O’Brien | Art Gallery Assistant
Sonia Gherdevich | Art Gallery Assistant
Benalla Art Gallery Committee
Barbara Alexander AO | Chair
Councillor Danny Claridge | Council Representative
Councillor Punarji Gunaratne | Council Representative
Tim Abdallah | General Member
Jane Grimwade | Friends of Benalla Art Gallery Representative
Winsome McCaughey AO | General Member
Bess Nolan-Cook | CEO Tourism North East Victoria
Anna Parle | General Member
Fiona Stephens | General Member
Alice Tallis | General Member
STRATEGIC DOCUMENTS AND REPORTS
REGION
Benalla is a picturesque town located close to the diverse food and wine regions of the King Valley, Rutherglen, and Milawa. The gateway to Victoria’s High Country, Benalla is within an hour of mountains, rivers and lakes that are perfect for adventure or relaxation. Benalla is the home of the Street Art Festival returning in 2024 and some of the most striking examples of silo art in Victoria. Go to www.enjoybenalla.com.au for everything you need to know to enjoy our region.
SUPPORT
The Benalla Art Gallery is owned and operated by Benalla Rural City Council. The Benalla Art Gallery is supported by the Victorian Government through the Creative Victoria Regional Partnerships Program.
