Australia’s first dedicated art and environment precinct to open in Halls Gap

Halls Gap, situated in the heart of the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, has been announced as the location for the 16-hectare National Centre for Environmental Art - Australia’s first dedicated art and environment precinct.

With support from the Victorian Government, the precinct aims to create a national centre for environmental art and support artists from across Australia.

The Where Art Meets Nature (WAMA) precinct will be home to a new climate controlled art gallery, café, retail space and multipurpose room for workshops and events. In celebration of the connection between art, science and nature, the gallery will host artist workshops and educational sessions for locals and visitors to enjoy.

The gallery will host major exhibitions inspired by the natural environment and loan artwork collections from leading galleries in Australia and internationally.

The new precinct will also feature restored native bushlands and landscaped botanic gardens with paths, signage and gathering places to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings.

WAMA Foundation Ltd Chairman Greg Lewin shared that the funding from the Victorian Government would take WAMA “from vision to realisation” adding “the facility 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.”

WAMA appointed Case Meallin, a professional project and development management consultancy group located in Geelong, to project manage the construction of Stage 1 including:

• Gallery building and café

• Access roads and carparks

• Maintenance depot

• Landscaping around the Gallery

• Associated utility services

Case Meallin Director, Peter Meallin enthused “Case Meallin are excited to be partnering with the WAMA Foundation to manage the delivery of Stage 1 of the WAMA masterplan. We look forward to working with the project team to achieve the successful and timely delivery of this important project for the local community.”

WAMA’s other consultant partners, include MvS Architects and Tract Consultants.

WAMA is anticipated to be fully operational and open to the public by early 2025.