Arts North West, in collaboration with the Walcha Arts Advisory Committee and Walcha Council, has successfully completed an important project to install a series of plaques accompanying artworks in Walcha’s renowned ‘Open Air Gallery.’
This initiative, made possible through the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)’s Strengthening Rural Communities Program, celebrates the artists behind the sculptures and provides visitors with an enriched cultural tourism experience.
Walcha’s ‘Open Air Gallery’—an evolving outdoor exhibition featuring over 58 sculptures and artworks by highly regarded local, national, and international artists—has long been a vibrant cultural asset. However, until now, the artworks lacked plaques or labels to recognise the calibre of their creators.
“This project was an essential step in acknowledging the incredible artists who have contributed to Walcha’s cultural identity and ensuring visitors could fully appreciate the significance of the artworks,” said Miranda Heckenberg, Acting Executive Director of Arts North West.
The plaques, now installed, identify each artwork with key details, including the title, artist, date of creation, and medium, as well as QR codes that provide further information about each artist and artwork https://walchansw.com.au/openairgallery/ .
Walcha’s first sculpture, installed in 1996 by local farmer and sculptor Stephen King, sparked the creation of the Open Air Gallery, which was formally adopted into Walcha Council’s management plan in 1998. By 2001, over 25 public artworks had been established, and today the collection has grown to more than 58 artworks.
John McDonald, an art critic, praised the initiative in 2003.
“Walcha has found a way of signposting its continued vitality. For a modest investment of ratepayers’ funds, the Council has given the town a special place on Australia’s cultural map.”
The need for this project was highlighted by feedback from cultural tourists, local artists, and community members, who emphasised the importance of on-site information to enhance engagement with the artworks.
Prior to the project, visitors had to rely on brochures or online resources, which detracted from the overall experience.
The Walcha Wayfinding initiative will have broad social and economic impacts, including:
• Strengthening Walcha’s cultural tourism and visitor economy.
• Enhancing wayfinding and accessibility throughout the Open Air Gallery.
• Promoting local and regional artists.
• Boosting community pride, identity, and connection to place.
• Supporting the vibrancy and creativity of the New England North West region.
This community-led initiative addressed identified gaps, and now enhances the visitor experience, and cemented Walcha’s position as a leading destination for cultural tourism in the New England North West region.
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