Newcastle Art Gallery will celebrate its long-awaited reopening with a full weekend of art, music and street-party energy, including the chance for three visitors to score a bespoke tattoo inspired by the new Iconic Loved Unexpected exhibition.
The Gallery’s first major moment following its significant expansion aims to mark the milestone in unforgettable style.
Visitors can expect a vibrant blend of installations, live performances and interactive experiences designed to highlight the depth and diversity of the Gallery’s nationally significant $145 million collection.
Laman Street will be closed to traffic and transformed into an outdoor celebration on Friday 27 February, turning the precinct into a temporary arts playground.
A sculpture park featuring works by Braddon Snape and Dani Marti will sit alongside a disco-inspired garden created by Jen Denzin and David Lobb, an installation designed to shift and grow through hands-on art-making activities across the weekend.
The music lineup reflects Newcastle’s own creative strength, with performances by local artists Rose White, Bonnie Anne, and surf-rock outfit The Pitts. They’ll be joined by Maitland sibling duo Kinder, returning fresh from supporting Katy Perry on tour, before producer and DJ Jayteehazard closes out the evening.
Inside the Gallery, the program continues with live performances from the CREATION choir, Torres Strait Islander artist Toby Cedar and his dance group, and Tina Havelock Stevens’ powerful movement-and-drumming work.
Saturday 28 February brings the official opening of Iconic Loved Unexpected, which spans both levels of the Gallery and showcases treasures, favourites and surprising finds from the newly expanded collection.
The day also features a series of talks from acclaimed artists, including Megan Cope, whose striking installation of oyster-shell-adorned poles now fills the Gallery’s atrium, as well as a special in-conversation event exploring the legacy of John Olsen and one of the Gallery’s most recognisable suspended works.
Visitors can also explore the new retail store and Hilliers, the Gallery’s first permanent café, created by the team behind Sprout Catering and designed to be a welcoming extension of the artistic experience.
Art lovers keen to win one of the three bespoke Eddy Lou tattoo experiences must visit the Gallery on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays in the lead-up to the event to enter the draw.
The Newcastle Art Gallery Opening Weekend takes place from Friday, 27 to Saturday, 28 February. More information, including full program details, is available via newcastleartgallery.nsw.gov.au.
