Mudgee’s art and cultural heart will soon be full, with the Mudgee Arts Precinct (MAP) Cultural Workshops Open Day this weekend.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the opening marks the completion of the $8.1 million development of the former Cudgegong Chambers building, which was sold to Mid-Western Regional Council for just $1.
“MAP has become the dedicated home of the arts in the region, providing a fantastic exhibition space, building on Mudgee’s already stellar visitor experience,” Mr Saunders said.
“Now the area behind the MAP has been reimagined as a multipurpose education, conferencing and collaborative working space, which will inspire innovative thinking and creative development in the Mudgee region for years to come.
“I commend the Mid-Western Regional Council and the Mudgee arts community for their commitment to achieving this vision.”
The NSW Government contributed $3.8 million to MAP’s construction, and has further supported the precinct through its Community Events Program, with Mid-Western Regional Council securing $239,651 for a series of community-focused events, including Saturday’s official opening of the MAP Cultural Workshops.
The open day will include a series of free drop-in activities and demonstrations by artists and educators including a screen-printing demonstration by Fiona MacDonald, architectural drawing with David Holm, life drawing and sculpture exploration with Caz Haswell and video portraiture with MAP Portrait Prize winner, Gus Armstrong.
Demonstrations will also be hosted by Dwayne Labbe, a renowned animator who has worked with film companies including Hanna-Barbera, Disney and Warner Bros, and has animated famous characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Aladdin.
Mid-Western Regional Council Mayor Des Kennedy said the exciting new facility provides a creative learning centre for the community.
“This purpose designed facility is fully accessible and offers a series of hireable spaces for the community, including a digital classroom/technical suite with recording and editing facilities, large and small workshops/meeting rooms, co-working spaces, internal and external breakout areas and a kitchenette, all serviced by high-speed Wi-Fi,” Councillor Kennedy said.
“I’d like to thank the NSW Government for its generosity in helping Council to deliver this facility for the community.”
The Mudgee Arts Precinct Cultural Workshops Open Day will be held from 10am – 2pm on Saturday, 11 February, on the corner of Douro and Short Streets.