Maitland Regional Art Gallery facts for kids
The Maitland Regional Art Gallery (or MRAG) is a public art museum. It is located in Maitland, a city in Australia. MRAG is a fun place to explore art and learn about different artists.
Contents
Discovering MRAG's History
How the Gallery Started
The story of MRAG began a long time ago. In 1957, the Maitland City Council started buying artworks. These first pieces became the very beginning of the gallery's collection. It was a small start for a big idea!
First Home and New Beginnings
In 1975, the art collection found its first home. It was in a building called Brough House on Church Street in Maitland. This was the first official Maitland City Art Gallery. Later, in November 2003, MRAG moved to its current location on High Street.
The Building's Past Life
The building where MRAG is now is quite old and special. It has a unique style called Federation Gothic. Before it became an art gallery, it was the Maitland Technical College. That college first opened its doors way back in 1910.
A Big Renovation and Reopening
The gallery closed for a while in 2008. It was being redeveloped to make it even better! A famous Australian artist named Margaret Olley officially reopened the gallery on August 15, 2009. It was an exciting day for art lovers in Maitland.
Exploring the MRAG Art Collection
What Kind of Art is Here?
MRAG has a huge collection of art! There are more than 6,000 different items. These include many types of art, design pieces, and historical objects. The gallery is especially known for its large collection of "works on paper." This means drawings, prints, and photographs.
Famous Australian Artists at MRAG
You can see art by many well-known Australian artists at MRAG. Some of these talented artists include:
- John Coburn
- William Dobell
- Margaret Olley
- Charles Blackman
- Brett Whiteley
- Sidney Nolan
- John Olsen
- Judy Watson
- Lloyd Rees
These artists have created amazing works that tell stories and show different ways of seeing the world.
