Community
23 July, 2024
Glossy new art gallery
THE final piece in the Cairns Gallery Precinct – the restoration of the former Mulgrave Shire Council offices on the Cairns Esplanade – has been completed.
The ‘Mulgrave Gallery’ will be opened during the Cairns Festival next month.
A Cairns Regional Council spokesman said the work was funded by a $10 million grant from the Federal Government’s Regional Recovery Partnerships program to help progress the Cairns Gallery Precinct project, which included refurbishment of the former Mulgrave Shire Council building into a gallery, demolition of 51 The Esplanade, and development of a master plan for the precinct.
“In preparation for the refurbishment of the heritage-listed Mulgrave Shire Council building, (the) council removed asbestos, floor coverings and ceilings, partitions and external ramps,” he said.
“Heritage restoration works included rendering and painting, ceilings, floors, walls, doors and windows, and the reconstruction of the north-western veranda.
“Other works included electrical upgrades, re-roofing, structural improvements, the building of new amenities, administration, storage spaces and accessible ramps, and other general building and landscaping works.”
Cr Rob Pyne, whose division 5 includes the gallery precinct, said he was pleased to see the final product.
He said it was also pleasing that three levels of government contributed to the entire $39.5m gallery precinct.
Cr Pyne said he would be looking forward to what would go on display in the gallery.
For Cr Pyne the building has fond memories because his late father – Tom Pyne – was a former Mulgrave Shire mayor as well as a Cairns City Council mayor.
“He used to sit at his desk and watch the Pacific Hotel go up one block at a time,” he said.
The council spokesman said the Mulgrave Gallery would not have a specific theme.
“While not themed, First Nations-focused programs and activations will be further enhanced with the opening of Mulgrave Gallery,” he said.
“The Mulgrave Gallery is part of the broader Cairns Gallery Precinct.
“The Cairns Gallery Precinct project connects three heritage listed buildings – Cairns Art Gallery, Court House Gallery and the Mulgrave Gallery – and once complete will significantly increase existing exhibition space, refurbish heritage spaces, and create new galleries, public spaces and jobs.
“Importantly, the precinct will provide, for the first time, dedicated places in which to highlight our talented Indigenous artists and the unique artforms they create.”
