THE March floods has been the inspiration of the grand opening of a new art gallery in Dunbogan.
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Guests from the Camden Haven, Newcastle and Sydney were treated to the 'Salvaged' exhibition by Newcastle artist Gavin Vitullo, hosted in the new 19ThirtySeven gallery at Dunbogan Boatshed on December 1.
Mr Vitullo was joined by Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams in unveiling the permanent sculpture 'Rise and Fall' in front of the building.
The art gallery will host a new collection of artworks from across Australia each month including an indigenous art and local art month.
Business owner Damien Lay said the gallery is a new space for the community to enjoy.
"The last six months has been a lot of work to bring it back from the bare bones, move forward and down a different path," he said.
"We hope it will be a community space with art from artists around Australia. There will be a new exhibition each month and it will be an attraction in its own right, which can draw people to the area.
"Certainly we will be looking for emerging artists and we will be tying in with ArtWalk in September as well.
"It can act as a function and event space. A place for people to have a coffee and look at the artwork even if they've never been to an art gallery exhibition before."
A 'LIFA Prize' Lay Family Initiative will also be awarded each year with visitors will be able to vote for their favourite artworks. A final vote on the selection of 11 works will receive a significant prize.
Newcastle artist Gavin Vitullo said the gallery will provide great benefit as a stepping stone for artists locally and nationally.
"Originally we worked on a permanent commissioned piece because of what had happened with the floods and the reinvention of the space as a contemporary gallery," he said.
"The piece is very symbolic, totemic and its height represents the height of the water during the floods. It's called 'Rise and Fall' and uses the elements of fire and water representing the last few years in Camden Haven.
"This is a gallery second to none, the way it has been created is phenomenal and one artist a month is quite a big venture."
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