The Tweed’s stunning landscape and its local flora and fauna were the star attractions at Friday’s grand opening of the Caldera Art Gallery in Murwillumbah.
Local artist and Caldera Art founder, Andy Reimanis, tapped the well of creative talent in the Tweed for the gallery’s opening exhibition, which featured the works of a dozen local artists including 2010 Caldera Art Award winner Jill Garsden, Roslyn Oakes, Regina Rossdeutcher, Phil Lomas and Alan and Perri Wain.
“The Caldera Art Gallery is a fantastic opportunity for Tweed-based artists to showcase their works in a fully commercial gallery, specifically focusing on the natural environmental and heritage values of the Australia’s Green Cauldron National Landscape,” said Mr Reimanis.
“Our prime location in the World Heritage Rainforest Centre and Visitor Information Centre at the gateway to the Mt Warning Wollumbin Caldera will give artists access to the thousands of people who call into the VIC each year.
“We also intend to build the gallery’s reputation as a showcase for art of world-class standing that will attract serious buyers and collectors from all over Australia and, potentially, overseas.”
Tweed Shire Councillor Dot Holdom officially opened the gallery on Friday in front of a VIP gathering of Councillors, Council representatives, artists, art patrons and Caldera art sponsors.
Also speaking at the event was Pieter Verasdonck from the NSW Department of Trade and Investment and Destination Tweed CEO, Phil Villiers.
“We are more than thrilled that Caldera Art now has a permanent home at the Murwillumbah Visitor Information Centre,” said Mr Villiers.
“In line with Destination Tweed’s product development portfolio, it offers a new and unique tourism experience that will enhance visitors’ appreciation of our natural environment.
“At the same time, it provides a commercial outlet for our arts and creative community that will generate direct economic benefits for this dynamic business sector.”
In addition to serving as a year-round exhibition space, the Caldera Art Gallery will also offer regular art classes and artist-in-residence programs to create a truly interactive experience and a platform for new and emerging artists.
The gallery will be open seven days a week, from 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday and from 9.30am to 4pm Sunday. Entry is free.
