Art enthusiasts in Newcastle are getting an early Christmas gift as the City of Newcastle prepares to unveil iconic Australian art pieces valued at more than $30 million. The collection will be displayed in the fourth new exhibition space at the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery, marking another milestone in the gallery's ambitious renovation project.
The grand opening will be celebrated with the return of the popular Friday Night Sounds after-hours event, featuring live performances by local singer-songwriter Nina Romeru and an interactive wildlife drawing workshop. This special event represents the gallery's commitment to engaging the community through diverse cultural programming that combines visual arts with live entertainment.
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM expressed excitement about revealing another new space ahead of the full reopening scheduled for February 2026. "We have been overwhelmed by the support shown since we opened the doors to the community on September 26 for their first look at some of our new galleries," Morton said. She noted that nearly 11,000 people have already visited the gallery since its partial reopening, experiencing a preview of the nationally significant collection alongside major First Nations commissions and new acquisitions.
The gallery has attracted visitors from across Australia and around the world, with international guests traveling from Austria, Canada, Finland, France, India, Mongolia, and Switzerland to view the exhibitions. This global interest demonstrates the gallery's growing reputation as a significant cultural destination in the Asia-Pacific region.
The new gallery space will showcase more than 130 works of art, featuring colonial-era classics and modern pieces by renowned Australian artists including Joseph Lycett, William Dobell, Grace Cossington Smith, and Margaret Preston. These works represent some of the most important pieces in Australian art history, spanning different periods and artistic movements that have shaped the nation's cultural identity.
Morton emphasized the meticulous preparation required to present such valuable works long-term, explaining that her team has been working under strict conservation conditions to ensure the proper care and display of the artworks. "We're thrilled to be able to open our fourth new gallery space later this month, but this is still just the beginning, with more art and another nine exhibition spaces to come next year," she stated.
The complete gallery renovation represents one of the most significant cultural infrastructure projects in the region. When fully completed in February next year, the entire gallery will reopen in conjunction with a major collection exhibition and the unveiling of a special commission by internationally renowned artist Fayen d'Evie, adding contemporary works to complement the historical pieces.
Currently, the gallery operates on a weekend schedule, remaining open Friday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm. The free Friday Night Sounds event is scheduled for December 19 from 5pm to 8pm, offering the community an opportunity to experience the new space in a festive evening atmosphere with live music and interactive activities.
