Convent Gallery facts for kids
The Convent Gallery is a special place located in the beautiful spa town of Daylesford, in Central Victoria, Australia. It's a popular spot for art lovers and visitors.
Contents
A Look Back: The Gallery's History
The story of the Convent Gallery began a long time ago, around the 1860s gold rush. Back then, it was known as 'Blarney Castle' and was home to the Gold Commissioner, who was in charge of the gold mining area.
From Home to Church
In the 1880s, the Catholic Church bought the building. For ten years, it was used as a presbytery, which is a home for the local priest.
A School for Girls
In 1891, Archbishop Thomas Joseph Carr from Melbourne had a vision. He wanted to create a place of learning and inspiration for the community in Daylesford, Victoria. So, in 1892, the building became the Holy Cross Convent and a boarding school for girls. It was run by the Presentation Sisters, and it was their first school outside of Melbourne.
Growing the Convent
Over the years, the convent grew. In 1904, a new chapel was finished. Later, in 1927, more rooms were added, including a parlour (a sitting room), a dormitory (where students slept), and music rooms.
A New Chapter: Community and Art
The old convent building was quite large and needed a lot of care, especially with heating. In the 1970s, it was decided that the nuns needed a more suitable place to live. The school closed in 1973.
A Gift to the Community
In 1975, the building was given to the wider Daylesford community. This was suggested by the head nun, Sister Mary Agatha Murphy. It became a Community Center for arts and education. Many local groups used it, with hundreds of people visiting each week.
Becoming an Art Gallery
By 1988, the building needed a lot of repairs. It was then sold to Tina Banitska, a well-known local artist and ceramicist. She transformed it into the amazing Convent Gallery we see today.
What You'll Find Today
The Convent Gallery still has many of its original Victorian-era architectural features. It sits on the side of Wombat Hill, offering beautiful views over Daylesford and Hepburn Springs.
Today, the Convent Gallery is a vibrant place with lots to explore:
- Art Galleries: There are eight different galleries that show new art from local and international artists every eight weeks.
- Original Chapel: You can visit the beautifully restored chapel.
- Museum: There's a museum that tells the history of the building, set up by the nuns themselves.
- Shops: You can find unique clothing, jewelry, pottery, local wines, and other products.
- Cafe: Enjoy a meal or snack at the Mediterranean-style cafe.
- Accommodation: There's even a New York-style penthouse apartment for guests.
- Event Spaces: Two modern, glass-fronted rooms are available for events.
- Wine Bar: Daylesford's first world-class wine bar is also located here.
- Gardens: Explore the beautiful 6 acres (24,000 m2) of picturesque gardens surrounding the building.
The Convent Gallery is a wonderful example of how an old building can be given new life and continue to be a special place for everyone to enjoy.
