PERSONAL attacks on Bendigo Art Gallery staff have failed to dampen their spirits as the Grace Kelly exhibition continues to attract national headlines.
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Saturday’s launch of Grace Kelly: Style Icon has featured in print, online, radio and television reporting each day since opening.
But not everyone appears happy with opening night, with the gallery receiving emails and phone calls criticising the opening night. City of Greater Bendigo Director of City Futures Stan Liacos said he was disappointed people had levelled personal attacks at gallery staff in the lead up to, and after, Saturday’s opening function.
“Some of the criticisms have been quite disgusting, totally out of line and small minded,” he said.
“Thankfully it appears to be only a small group but some of them need to get a life.”
The Bendigo Art Gallery has about 1500 members and charges $35 for a 12-month single membership.
The gallery sent invites to its members for Saturday’s launch, and tickets were handed out on a first-in-first-served basis.
The gallery was open for members only on Saturday morning before the launch.
Fifteen people emailed the gallery, while others called to make a complaint.
“There are some people in Bendigo that have been disappointed that they were not able to come,” Mr Liacos said.
“Of the 600 that attended, about two-thirds were from Bendigo.
“Clearly there were a range of media and national movers and shakers and politicians and others that had to be invited, given the scale of the exhibition.
“The building can only hold 600 people and we make no apology for the function.
“I think the way Karen Quinlan and her team have staged the event, the city is very proud of what the gallery has achieved in Bendigo and by putting Bendigo on the national stage.”
The Bendigo Advertiser understands Ms Quinlan was a vocal advocate of ensuring Bendigo residents made up the majority at the opening crowd.
Mr Liacos said the attention Bendigo had received had the city well placed to benefit from the exhibition.
