This year marks 50 years since the Benalla Art Gallery opened in its iconic building, built by the community for the community.

The gallery now requires some urgent repairs and upgrades, and will close for an extended period at the end of September.

Benalla Art Gallery Foundation working group convenor Alana Johnson said the Our Gallery project has been conceived to maintain art experiences for the community.

“It forms part of the gallery’s commitment that art is for everyone and aligns with the council’s new Destination Management Plan to boost tourism and the local economy and which has the theme See Art in Everything,” she said.

The project will involve a diversity of local citizens choosing an artwork from the gallery collection, having their photo taken with the artwork, and answering a couple of questions about what they like about it.

The photo and words would then be featured in the coming months in the Benalla Ensign, on social media and on posters in shopfronts along Bridge St East.

“We are wanting to have a cross-section of local citizens participate and be featured in the project,” Ms Johnson said.

“So we have reached out to community clubs, groups and workplaces to ask them to identify someone who would be interested to participate in the project.

“We are seeking community members who are keen to join the spirit of the project and have fun, they don’t need to know anything about art.”

Potential participants will be contacted and sent an information email along with an invitation to attend the Art Gallery.

“They are welcome to bring family, a friend, a colleague with them,” Ms Johnson said.

“On arrival they will be met by a host from our working group and guided through the process of choosing an artwork, having their photo taken and answering some simple questions.

“Many of them have not been to the Benalla Art Gallery before.”

Keep an eye out in the Benalla Ensign, and at www.benallaensign.com.au/ for Art for Everyone photos and profiles.

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Saturday, 18th March 2023

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