The newly opened South East Centre for Contemporary Art (SECCA) in Bega Valley, New South Wales, designed by Sibling Architecture, has doubled the size of the former Bega Valley Regional Gallery.
The reimagined gallery has been built within the existing footprint of the former gallery. Comprising 500 square metres of exhibition, archive, storage and workshop spaces, the expansion of the gallery will enable two exhibitions to run simultaneously.
The cultural hub is double the size of the former gallery building.
Image:
David Rogers
The public building features a contemporary perforated steel facade with a steel screen on the building’s exterior offering an opportunity for exhibitions to extend beyond the gallery’s interior.
The integration of windows in the gallery provides visual access to the surrounding landscape, Biamanga (Mumbulla Mountain) and the community garden across the street.
The redevelopment was funded as part of the Bega Valley Cultural and Recreational Infrastructure Project.
Image: Supplied
SECCA director, Iain Dawson said the vision for the project was to create a space where people could visit to “experience art and free expression, to learn about different cultures, and above all, be inspired.”
“The gallery has earned a place on Australia’s cultural calendar through its dynamic setting and a long history of engaging exhibitions as the Bega Valley Regional Gallery. This is a testament to the quality of our new space and our commitment to supporting contemporary art,” said Dawson.
The redevelopment was funded as part of the Bega Valley Cultural and Recreational Infrastructure Project, which received around $2.47 million in funding from the federal government to transform the arts space, construct the Pambula Squash Courts (completed in 2022), and upgrade the Eden Skate Park – expected to begin construction November 2023.
The newly expanded South East Centre for Contemporary Art (SECCA) in Bega Valley, New South Wales, has opened, designed by Sibling Architecture.
Image:
David Rogers
Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain, and Bega Valley Shire Mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick attended the gallery on 17 November to cut the ribbon and declare the arts space officially open.
McBain said the new cultural hub will have a significant, positive impact on the region.
The first exhibition, the Archibald Prize 2023, will be on display until 7 January, 2024. To find out more about the gallery, visit the SECCA website.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
