General News
2 January, 2024
Another accolade for art gallery
Ending the year on a high, the Central Goldfields Art Gallery (CGAG) has secured its third accolade since its redevelopment — estbalishing a reputation not just in the country, but internationally. The architects behind CGAG’s design, Nervegn...
Ending the year on a high, the Central Goldfields Art Gallery (CGAG) has secured its third accolade since its redevelopment — estbalishing a reputation not just in the country, but internationally.
The architects behind CGAG’s design, Nervegna Reed Architecture, have earned the bronze medal in the Public Category for the Asia Oceania region at the 2A Continental Architectural Awards, which is a platform that recognises global achievements in the field of architecture and planning.
This recognition now makes the gallery a three-time award winning space.
In August this year, the builders responsible for CGAG’s top-notch craftsmanship won the title of Excellence in Construction of Commercial Buildings Under $3 million, for the $2 million redevelopment of the gallery.
Following on from that, in October, the gallery was also highly commended in the Large Project of the Year Award Category at the state’s biggest platform — the Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards.
According to the Central Goldfields Shire Council, manager of tourism, events and culture, Rosalie Hastwell, these honours highlight that the gallery is a significant asset for the community.
“We’re absolutely thrilled that the gallery is attracting so much attention,” Ms Hastwell said.
“These awards are coming from major industry bodies, both in terms of what this building means from a museum point of view but also how unique it is architecturally.
“This has always been so special and the architects have reimagined the building beautifully — they have brought different layers of history together.”
Ms Hastwell said that any win for the gallery, is a win for the town itself.
“For a small gallery in a small country town to be recognised at a national and international stage is a huge compliment,” she said.
“Through these awards, Maryborough is recognised as being able to do really outstanding and visionary projects. We’ve set the bar high and the entire community and shire is at the heart of this gallery.
“We’re also getting visitors from across the state — we’ve started seeing that some private tour operators are putting Maryborough as a must see on their maps. So tourists come up by train, they see the station and the visitor centre, then they walk up to experience the gallery. It’s been amazing for the town.”
Mayor Liesbeth Long also emphasised the importance of CGAG to the town and said she was thrilled with how far it had come.
“[I] am so proud of the newly revitalised gallery and all the work that has gone into this outstanding project,” she said.
“It continues to attract awards from across the arts, architecture and building industries. The innovative and welcoming treatment of this significant building is a great credit to the gallery’s many supporters and also to the many teams across council who have worked tirelessly to enable such an achievement.
“I would encourage anyone who hasn’t had the opportunity to visit the gallery yet to do so over the coming months.”