About Lapunyah Art Gallery

VISION:

Lapunyah Art Gallery - Inspiring Creative and Cultural expression

MISSION STATEMENT:

To be a catalyst for the development and delivery of arts and culture

Respect, Collaboration, Transparent Communication, Creativity, Embracing Diversity

VALUES:

The Gallery is managed by the Lapunyah Art Gallery Inc. – an Other Incorporated Entity (Not-For-Profit). LAG Inc. has a formal legal structure with the same characteristics as a company but is not incorporated as a corporation. The Gallery and its Arts and Culture events are entirely run by Volunteers.

In 2023 the LAG Inc. Management structure underwent a review and established Key Roles for Volunteers as well as redefining the Roles of Executive members.

 Current 2024/2025 Executive Members

·      President – Helen Dennis 

·      Treasurer – Jenny Usher 

·       Secretary –  Gayle Van Der Veen

 As a part of the review the LAG Inc. Constitution was changed to meet the new Management structure and Office of Fair-Trading amendments. The major changes were to:

·       Classes of Membership – Ordinary Members (Volunteers with voting rights), Sponsor and Corporate Members (no voting rights but able to join as Friends of Lapunyah)

·       Tenure of Executive Members to a non-consecutive three-year term

 The Objects in the Gallery’s Constitution are:

·      To provide a public space to develop and encourage the practice of arts and cultural activities 

·      To raise the standards of appreciation and understanding of visual arts through exhibitions and cultural activities 

·      To provide support by way of voluntary members in whatever areas are deemed appropriate 

 The Gallery building (as part of the Chinchilla Cultural Precinct) is the property of Western Downs Regional Council and is maintained by the council. Portable assets within the Gallery space are provided and owned by LAG Inc. Core Funding to the operations of Lapunyah Art Gallery comes through a yearly Funding Agreement with the Western Downs Regional Council. Other operational funds are raised through sales, grants and donations.

GOVERNANCE:

Lapunyah Art Gallery first opened as Chinchilla White Gum Gallery in December 1999, when local artists and Councilor Jean Mallyon lobbied the then Chinchilla Shire Council to incorporate an art gallery in the Chinchilla Cultural Precinct redevelopment.

The old Chinchilla Library was converted into an art gallery, named after the local white gums, Eucalyptus agrophloia. In 2015 the Gallery Committee changed their name to Lapunyah Art Gallery Inc. and lobbied the Western Downs Regional Council to change the gallery name to Lapunyah; this being one of the many botanical names for the White Gum, including Napunyah and Yapunyah. All of these names have Indigenous connections.

In 2022-2023 Lapunyah Art Gallery underwent extensive renovations and expansion as a part of the multi-million-dollar redevelopment of the Chinchilla Cultural Precinct. The gallery now has a smart contemporary look befitting a modern approach to the Arts. Lapunyah has been managed by an ever-evolving group of dedicated volunteers under the banner of Lapunyah Art Gallery Inc., supported by the Western Downs Regional Council. The gallery now operates as an arts space with three designated galleries, and two workshop/events spaces, inside and outside.

Lapunyah Art Gallery Inc. has custodianship of the Chinchilla Community Collection which holds over 250 pieces of art, both 2D and 3D.     

PROFILE:

THE COMMUNITY COLLECTION:

The Chinchilla Community Collection is the collection of artworks donated to or purchased by LAG Inc (previously known as Chinchilla White Gum Gallery Inc.) and held in trusteeship for the Chinchilla Community.

The Collection includes artworks from well-known local, regional and National artists. These include Rex Bacchus-Smith, Hugh Sawrey, John Morrison, Tom McAuley and Ching .......... A significant part of the Collection is the Grace Lithgow Collection, incorporating botanical images of Acacias, Wildflowers and Fungi of the South-West in various mediums.

 The Collection encompasses over 250, 2D and 3D, artworks. These are mostly stored at Lapunyah Art Gallery and are incorporated regularly in exhibitions at the gallery and at other WDRC galleries. Outdoor artworks can be found in the Chinchilla Cultural Precinct, in local streets and parks.

 The purpose of the Chinchilla Community Collection is to highlight areas of historical, cultural and artistic significance within our local and regional community. It is able to be used as a reference for Visual Arts practices from Traditional to Contemporary across our region.

EVENTS @ LAPUNYAH:

Lapunyah Art Gallery Inc. maintains a yearly program of:

·      Exhibitions ranging from local artists and arts/crafts groups, regional and beyond artists, touring exhibitions and Gallery-run

·      Local artisan Markets

·      Competitions for all age groups, mediums and levels of ability

·      Workshops for all community members

·      Partnership events with local community groups and the Western Downs Regional Council