HAVE A DAY OUT AT THE ART GALLERY

A new venue promises art lovers a treat

Are you starved for culture? Lismore is full of entertainment opportunities that are guaranteed to top up your cultural satisfaction, from performances at NORPA to pop-up shows.

The most exciting news, however, is the opening of the new $5.8 million Lismore Regional Gallery, with plenty of international standard exhibitions planned for art lovers.

Yes, the gallery and Quadrangle project at the old Lismore High School site off Keen Street is now complete. Sit and have an espresso before or after you saturate yourself in an art experience.

Lismore Regional Gallery Director Brett Adlington says a gallery for Lismore was first mooted as far back as 1901. In 1954 – the council opened the previous gallery premises in Molesworth Street as a “temporary gallery”.

After decades of discussion, funding applications and hard work, the red carpet has finally been rolled out.

"The Lismore Regional Gallery is a modern facility that we can be proud of as a regional city," he says. "We have four times the space; a climate controlled, flood-free storage area for our permanent collection of more than 1000 pieces; and a friendly and welcoming environment for visitors and locals."

The new gallery was designed by Bangalow-based architect Dominic Finlay-jones, who also designed the award-winning Lismore City Hall refurbishment.

From December 16 to March 4 make sure you check out Eurovisions: Contemporary Art. Presenting work by 16 international artists, drawn from the personal collection of Danny and Lisa Goldberg, Eurovisions encompasses a vibrant cross-section of contemporary art.

The exhibition features high-profile artists such as Anish Kapoor, Urs Fischer, Katharina Grosse, Sarah Lucas, Ugo Rondinone and Wolfgang Tillmans, who are among the most important and influential artists today. It also introduces a newer generation of artists who have studios in Europe.

Lismore Regional Gallery opening hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 10am to 4pm, Thursday 10am to 6pm, and Friday/saturday/sunday 10am to 4pm.