12th February, 2025.
Saturday 30 November 2024 saw the premiere of a travelling showcase of the Archibald Prize at Ngununggula, the Southern Highlands Regional Gallery in Retford Park, and I was delighted to attend the event. The Archibald Prize is the pinnacle of portraiture painting in New South Wales and indeed Australia, and the travelling showcase was an opportunity for communities to see the finalists in the 2024 Prize without having to travel to the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Instead of the community having to go to the art, the art came to the community. The showcase was at Ngununggula from 30 November 2024 until 27 January 2025, but is still on tour - first to Casula, then the Araluen Arts Centre in the Northern Territory, then at Lismore in July and August. I express my thanks to Ngununggula director Megan Monte, chair Jamie Burreket, the Ngunungulla board, and all the staff and volunteers for having me at the opening. I also acknowledge the presence of Wingecarribee Mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick, Wingecarribee Deputy Mayor Erin Foley, Wingecarribee Councillors Heather Champion, Nicole Smith and Therese Duffy, and Wingecarribee general manager Lisa Miscamble.
