Sisters Robin and Jean King have recently taken ownership of Tamworth's renowned Weswal Gallery, marking a significant transition for the region's longest-running independent commercial art gallery. The two local women have assumed directorial roles at the East Tamworth institution, taking over from previous owner Kate Hofman.
While the sisters share many similarities, their artistic backgrounds differ considerably. Robin King is an accomplished, award-winning ceramicist who has traveled extensively around the world pursuing her artistic passion. Jean King, by contrast, describes herself as "not an artist" in her own words. However, what unites the siblings is their deep appreciation and love for art, which ultimately led them to purchase the prestigious gallery.
Robin King, who is no stranger to the regional gallery scene with her work featured in several collections and as a regular attendee at Weswal's exhibition openings and events, explained that owning the gallery felt like a natural progression in her career. She noted that multiple people had suggested she should consider purchasing the establishment over the years.
Even her sister Jean had previously posed the question to Robin about whether she had ever considered buying the gallery. Robin's answer was affirmative, revealing that she had contemplated the idea as far back as before Sandra McMahon, the owner prior to Kate Hofman, had acquired it.
"So it wasn't really hard to convince myself that it was a good idea," Robin said with a laugh during an interview. "And then Robin convinced me," Jean added, explaining how she came to join the venture.
For Jean King, taking ownership of Weswal represents something of a full-circle moment in her relationship with the gallery. She fondly recalled purchasing her first painting at Weswal in 1991, a piece created by acclaimed watercolorist Jean Isherwood. This personal connection to the space adds emotional significance to her new role as co-owner.
As the region's longest-running independent commercial art gallery, Weswal has consistently served as a platform for local and regional artists to showcase their work. This tradition is something the King sisters are passionate about continuing and expanding upon in their new roles.
Robin King outlined her vision for the gallery's future direction, expressing interest in featuring more contemporary crafts alongside traditional artwork. "I'd also like to feature some more contemporary crafts, you know people who are local and have the skills and just need a few hints as to what to make," she explained. "I've done that in the past and that's worked really well."
The sisters officially took control of the gallery late last month, and described their first couple of weeks as "hectic" as they worked to establish their new operation. Despite the busy transition period, they successfully prepared for their first exhibition under their management.
On Friday, August 1, they launched 'Catching the Light,' an exhibition featuring works by landscape artist Scott McDougall. This inaugural show under their leadership demonstrates their commitment to maintaining the gallery's reputation for quality exhibitions.
In addition to launching their first exhibition, the King sisters also announced the continuation of the 2025 Interior Art Prize. This competition was originally initiated by previous owner Kate Hofman in 2024, who wanted to "develop an art prize for our town." The prize, affectionately known as the 'Inty,' celebrates the theme of interior spaces and welcomes submissions from artists across Australia working in all mediums.
The competition guidelines specify that entries must be submitted by 8 PM on August 31. Following the submission deadline, finalists will be selected to participate in a curated group exhibition. The announcement of finalists is scheduled for September 3, with the overall winner to be revealed at the exhibition launch event on September 20.
The continuation of this art prize demonstrates the new owners' commitment to fostering artistic talent and maintaining community engagement initiatives that were established by their predecessor.
Weswal Gallery maintains specific operating hours to serve the community and visiting art enthusiasts. The gallery is open on Thursdays by appointment only, providing flexibility for serious collectors and those requiring specialized attention. Regular operating hours run from Friday through Monday, 9:30 AM to 2 PM, making the gallery accessible to both weekend visitors and those with weekday availability.
The transition of ownership represents not just a change in management, but a continuation of Weswal's important role in the regional arts community. With Robin's professional artistic background and Jean's long-standing appreciation for the arts, the sisters bring both expertise and passion to their new venture.
Their commitment to supporting local and regional artists, combined with plans to expand into contemporary crafts, suggests that Weswal Gallery will continue to evolve while maintaining its core mission of providing a platform for artistic expression in the Tamworth region.
