Title

Gallery Space Left To Languish

Author / Interviewer

Hills Gazette

Abstract / Article

“… Mundaring Shire ratepayers poured $20,000into the restoration of Darlington Hall whose mezzanine-floor gallery and craft space has earned only $20 in the two years since. The Mundaring Shire Council contributed $20,290 to the hall restoration project between 1995 and 1998. The restored mezzanine floor was intended to be a gallery and "craft-in-action" space. However, income from the mezzanine floor in 1998-99 and to date in 1999-2000 has been $20. The area has been used once for an art display. Councillor Colin James, whose ward includes Darlington, said he was "terribly embarrassed" about the low use and income from the mezzanine floor. But he wanted the council to defer a proposal to lease the mezzanine floor until he has consulted the Darlington Recreation Management Committee (DRMC). "… I want to make some money from that area but not to the detriment of other hall users," Cr. James said. ‘… I wasn't aware the floor wasn't being used." Darlington resident and artist Alexander Hayes has indicated to the Council that he wants to lease the mezzanine floor for five years to co-ordinate and curate art exhibitions focusing on Darlington youth. He proposed to operate from the mezzanine floor from Wednesdays to Sundays and register it as an art gallery with the Gallery Association of Western Australia. Mr. Hayes said the lease would not stop other community groups from using the area. Recreation service manager Michael Burke said in a report that leasing the area would provide a guaranteed income, reduce the likelihood of vandalism and create positive spin-offs for the hall. However, it would also limit community access and set a precedent for other commercial operators to lease other halls according to Burke.”

Keywords

gallery, exhibition, art. Australia, Darlington, hall, youth, community

Publisher

Hills Gazette

Publication Date

10th June 2000

Week

2

Page

7

Section

N/A

Suggested Citation

Gallery Space Left To Languish (2000) Hills Gazette. Darling, Western Australia

Links

Darlington Hall - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darlington_Hall