The Barossa Vintage Festival Art Collection
The Barossa Vintage Festival Art Collection contains over 80 artworks which have been collected over the last 60 years since 1965, and has a strong emphasis on landscapes in all mediums and styles. The Barossa Regional Gallery is fortunate to be the custodians of the Collection and ensures that works from the Collection are displayed regularly and preserved as a cultural asset for future generations.
This Collection is rotated and displayed at least once a year at the Barossa Regional Gallery and features well−known artists including Imants Tillers, Kwementyaye (Kathleen) Petyarre, Hilarie Mais, Rod Schubert, Marnie Wark, David Dallwitz, Pamela Kouwenhoven and Dianne Longley.
The insurance, storage and maintenance of the Collection works are funded through The Barossa Council and entrusted to the Gallery management, with support from the Gallery Management Advisory Group. The Collection is considered a community owned collection but has a majority of ownership under Barossa Australia.
The Collection began to grow and the housing and preservation of such a large collection became a concern. At the time the Barossa Arts Council along with the Tanunda Hall Committee sought funding to create the Barossa Regional Gallery. Wineries who had previously donated to purchasing art works for the Collection came forward to help with the Community contribution needed to match the Government grant required for this to occur.
The Tanunda Soldiers’ Memorial Hall was additionally developed into a quality art gallery, opening in 2003, with proper lighting and professional hanging systems. When the gallery opened, the Collection had a permanent home.
Between 1965 and 2003, the Vintage Festival Art Exhibition was organised by a sub−committee of the Vintage Festival Committee. The original philosophy of the Prize was to form a collection for the community.
Between 1965 and 2001, the Exhibition was held at various locations throughout the Barossa region including Chateau Yaldara and the Angaston Town Hall.
Since 2003, the Vintage Festival Exhibition has always been held at the Barossa Regional Gallery during the Vintage Festival every second year. The Collection has been used as an educational resource since it has been held within the Barossa Regional Gallery. The works have been viewed and studied by thousands of school students alone as well as adult art appreciation seminars.
Kathleen Petyarre, My Country – Then & Now
Kathleen Petyarre (Kweyetwemp Petyarre), My Country - Then & Now, synthetic polymer paint on belgian cotton, 183cm x 183cm x 5cm, Acquired to the Vintage Festival Art Collection sponsored by Visy Board, 1999.
“The Vintage Festival Art Prize is an important event as it provides an opportunity to discover new creative talent and it helps fuel cultural appreciation in the Barossa and beyond.”
MARNIE WARK | ‘In The Clouds’ 2005
An important role for public galleries is to collect art and to ensure that it is preserved for future generations and that it is accessible over time for people to enjoy and respond to.
The Barossa Vintage Festival Art Collection documents and preserves culture, people, places and how things have changed. It conveys how skills and creativity have altered through technological changes and innovation.
The Collection tells a unique story about the evolution of social, cultural life and the environment. Many of the works are of high quality, often by significant artists and many have supported local and emerging artists.
Nurturing a sense of community and shared history, the Collection contributes to the well−being of our community.
