This year the Mundaring Arts Centre is celebrating 40 years. This week Lost Mundaring & Surroundings is discussing the first meeting of the MAC held in July, 1979 and the first exhibition.
Part 2 History of MAC...
The first meeting of the MAC Committee was held on 29 July 1979 at which a draft constitution was proposed and sub committees formed. The main aims of the Arts Centre were to provide a focal point for quality arts in the community; to create a gallery that would allow opportunities for artists to exhibit their work within their own locality and for the public to share in these art experiences, and to provide a means for local professional artistic skills to be utilised in the planning and development of their community.
It soon established a strong identity and with credibility among local artists and the general public that firmly rested on the calibre of its staff and administration.
Dreams of establishing a regional art gallery along the line of those in Bunbury and Fremantle were dashed by the third meeting at which it was announced that the Shire had decided to transform the service station into an arts and crafts centre rather than a regional gallery. After some initial indignation, John Blakely’s suggestions of establishing an artist in residence program was accepted and the Arts Centre was born.
In December 1979, in conjunction with a Christmas Party, the first exhibition of art and craft was held at the Arts Centre. 1980 saw slow but steady progress. Nigel Hewitt had already completed a ten week Residency that included a series of painting workshops and classes. This was followed by a second Residency by the potter Greg Crowe. As further funds were needed, an invitation was extended to MPs, government officials and local business people to visit the Arts Centre and view an exhibition by Nigel Hewitt and his students. Guy Grey Smith flew his aeroplane from Jandakot to Pemberton to address the meeting of the importance of having an outlet for creativity in the community. Further donations towards the development of the Arts Centre were elicited, including a significant donation of $10,000 from Alcoa.
Thank you to the Mundaring Arts Centre for supplying the great photo of their original office from 1983 and information!
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