National environmental art gallery to be established in Victoria's Hall Gap

Plans for an art and environment precinct featuring a national centre for environmental art in Halls Gap, Victoria, have been revealed.

The vision for the Where Art Meets Nature (WAMA) precinct is to create a space that celebrates the intersection between art, science and nature. The precinct will house a new climate controlled art gallery, a café, a retail space and a multipurpose room for workshops, events and educational sessions. The new precinct will also feature regenerated native bushlands and landscaped botanic gardens with paths, signage, and gathering places to unwind or socialise.

Once complete, the gallery building - designed by MVS Architects and Taut Architects - will present exhibitions related to the natural environment, receiving artworks as a loan from Australian and international galleries. In the design statement, Jan van Schaik of MvS Architects said "the building is designed to tie in with the landscape in which it is situated … the design techniques used gives the sense that the landscape is drawn inside the building. It's part of the mechanism of the landscape, like an outdoor room."

WAMA Foundation chairman Greg Lewin said the precinct "will be a welcome addition to tourism in the Grampians, broadening the cultural experience for visitors and locals. And importantly, building and operating Australia's National Centre for Environmental Art will bring significant benefits to the local economy."

Construction has commenced on the site. The gallery is anticipated to be fully operational and open to the public by early 2025.