Regional Galleries Demystified

Wednesday 24th February 2pm-5pm
Hayon Hall,Mayne St., Murrurundi
Cost $20
Numbers limited, to book contact Sandra Reichel admin@artsupperhunter.com.au, ph: 6545 9727

The first in a series of professional development forums for artists.
This is an afternoon session where curators and directors of Regional Galleries will give a short presentation on how they work in their current galleries (in particular with individual artists), and their experience in general. Director of the Muswellbrook Regional Art Centre, Brad Franks, and local artist Charlotte Drake Brokement, will then facilitate an open discussion with the group.
The aim is to have an informal session where local artists can gain insight and understanding into how Regional Galleries work and therefore how they might be able to develop relationships and progress their own work.
 

Sandra McMahon - Director Tamworth Regional Gallery

Originally from Sydney, I have lived in Regional NSW for the past 27 years and have raised three children. I have worked in the Arts for the past 25 years. Prior to my current position as Director Tamworth Regional Gallery, I was Curator at the Western Plains Cultural Centre, Dubbo, Gallery Assistant at Helen Maxwell Gallery in Canberra and Administration Officer at Southern Tablelands Arts Goulburn, at Goulburn Regional Art Gallery as the Education/ Public Programs Officer, and was a part-time visual arts teacher at TAFE NSW at Moree, Quirindi and Tamworth Campuses. I have a Diploma in Visual Arts and a Graduate Diploma in Art History and Curatorship from ANU. 
 

Ron Ramsey - Director Newcastle Region Art Gallery
 

Ron Ramsey was born in Melbourne and studied in Ballarat and Melbourne with post graduate studies in Italy and Canberra. He worked at the National Gallery of Victoria (1984-1986) as an Education Officer and left Melbourne to work for the Australian Bicentennial Authority in Sydney (1986-1988). Ramsey was the Education and Community Manager for the Australian Bicentennial Exhibition which travelled to 34 centres around Australia during 1988. He worked as the Manager for the Design Committee of the Australia Council during 1989 before being recruited by the National Gallery of Australia as a Lecturer in 1990.

Ramsey worked at the National Gallery of Australia (1990-2003) in a number of positions including Manager of Travelling Exhibitions, Head of Education & Public Programs and Assistant Director Access Services. In 1993 he managed Australia’s pavilion at the Venice Biennale and in 2004 was appointed to the Embassy of Australia in Washington DC as Cultural Attaché to the United States of America (2004-2007). He returned to the National Gallery of Australia as Assistant Director, Development, Marketing and Commercial Operations and in late 2007 was appointed Director, Newcastle Region Art Gallery. 
 

Kent Buchanan- Acting Curator at Western Plains Cultural Centre (WPCC) , Dubbo

Kent is responsible for a range curatorial projects relating to both the Gallery and Museum. Kent has curated a range of exhibitions including Fresh Arts 08, In Captivity: Animals in the Dubbo Regional Gallery Collection, and A Child’s Eyes: Van Sowerwine. Prior to this role, Kent was Education / Public Programs Officer at Dubbo Regional Gallery for seven years, and during this time presented a range of lectures and talks on a variety of subjects. Kent holds a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) from College of Fine Arts, UNSW and a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) from Charles Sturt University. 
 

Virginia Mitchell - Director Cessnock Regional Art Gallery (CRAG)

The Cessnock Regional Art Gallery (CRAG), opened in June 2009.  Virginia has been Curator Griffith University Art Collection, Curator and later Acting Director at Penrith Regional Gallery, Manager Ku-ring-gai Art Centre, Progam Manager for the Regional Galleries Association of NSW and Program Director of Museums and Galleries Foundation, Collection Manager for Macquarie University Collection and a short stint in the art auction industry – consequently seeking a quieter life in the country – or not as it turns out!!