The new Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf has been officially opened, revealing the spectacular architecturally reworked 122-year-old St Brigid’s building that overlooks Sydney Harbour in Double Bay.
“Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf is set to be the heart of a new cultural precinct, including the Council Chambers built in 1863, the picturesque Blackburn Gardens, Murray Rose Pool, Redleaf Beach and kiosk and will present a year-round program of contemporary art exhibitions, artist residencies and public programs,” Council said in a statement.
Woollahra Municipal Council General Manager, Craig Swift-McNair said the opening was a proud day for the organisation.
“The transformation of the historic St Brigid’s building into our new Gallery has taken well over four years, but what a stunning result,” he said.
Built in 1897, over the years St Brigid’s has been home to several families, the headquarters to the Royal Commission on Espionage at the height of the cold war and following Councils purchase of the building in 1951, it became the Woollahra Art Centre and then from 1957 to 2016, it was the Double Bay Library.
“The Woollahra LGA has the highest concentration of commercial Galleries in Australia, so it was only fitting that Council expand its contribution to the cultural fabric of our area and to that of Greater Sydney, with our very own public art Gallery,” Mr Swift-McNair said.
The Gallery overlooks Sydney Harbour in Double Bay and spans two levels, with the Gallery set to act as a community hub at the heart of a new cultural precinct, which includes the 1863 built Council Chambers, the picturesque Blackburn Gardens, Murray Rose Pool and Redleaf Beach.
He said locals could expect an exciting program of diverse exhibitions coming up at the Gallery, with exhibitions rotating monthly.
“As you might imagine, this project has been an enormous cross-organisational, collaborative effort including staff from areas such as Community & Culture, Property & Projects, Communications & Engagement, Finance, Planning, Development Control, Digital Technology, Compliance, our Woollahra Libraries local history team and our enthusiastic volunteers.”
“My thanks goes to everyone involved in this incredible project. The Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf represents local government at its very best, by providing a community cultural asset that will be with us for many decades to come.”
Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf is open from Wednesday – Friday, 10am – 6pm and Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 5pm. 548 New South Head Road, Double Bay. Admission is free. Follow on instagram @woollahragallery #woollahragallery
