The Friends of the Old Teachers’ College in Armidale successfully fought to prevent the moth-balling of the landmark building, which now serves as a thriving cultural hub. The organisation also fought against the proposed half-sale of the jewel in the crown of the Hinton Collection at the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM) – Tom Roberts’ Mosman’s Bay to the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW).
Howard Hinton established his collection of over 1,000 artworks in Armidale over 80 years ago. Arthur Streeton and Norman Lindsay placed him with Alfred Felton, David Scott Mitchell and Sir Baldwin Spencer as one of the great benefactors of the arts in Australia.
The Hinton Collection was originally part of the Armidale Teachers’ College but is now in the care of NERAM.
Now, as NERAM strives to raise $400,000 for the purchase of the late Margaret Olley’s seminal artwork, The Yellow Room (Triptych), as an acquisition into the Hinton Collection, the Friends of the Old Teachers’ College have chipped in a symbolically significant $2,000 sum. Their funds were largely raised through membership fees and their work in promoting the Old Teachers’ College, including the provision of guided tours for reunions.
“I think Howard Hinton would have been pleased with what we’ve done and what NERAM is seeking to do with The Yellow Room appeal,” President of the Friends of the Old Teachers’ College, Gwenda Shannon OAM said.
The Independent Chair of the Margaret Olley Yellow Room Fundraising Committee at the New England Regional Art Museum (NERAM), Armidale, Sam Beasley, said the contribution was particularly meaningful, given the history involved. “I hope other organisations in the area will be inspired to donate. The Yellow Room will not only yield cultural and social benefits; through tourism, the economic will also be positively impacted. There are already plans for a Margaret Olley art trail,” he said.
The Yellow Room Appeal has already raised around $200,000 of its $400,000 goal, including a founding donation of $100,000 from the fundraising group (for NERAM), Packsaddle; $5,000 from Friends of NERAM, and a personal donation of $25,000 from Philip Bacon.
Story: Gary Fry
