You’d be forgiven for dropping names at the Castlemaine Art Gallery.
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The prized historic regional space features the who’s who of Australian art royalty.
Think work by Brett Whitely, Charles Blackman, Fred Williams and Rick Amor. And then there’s gallery director Jennifer Kalionis.
The 30-something is being talked about for all the right reasons.
Adelaide-born former art history lecturer Jennifer took over the job from retiring director Peter Perry in January.
Peter had spent much of his 38 years at the gallery adding to its impressive collection.
It’s a legacy Jennifer is keen to share as she warmly opens the double art deco doors to the community.
“I knew the gallery had a fantastic collection and I knew someone had been here for almost 40 years,” she said.
“It was a great opportunity to put my stamp on a place.
“The other thing that drew me here was the community, because Castlemaine is known for its density of artists.”
Many of those artists, and art lovers, were at the gallery this week for its first Christmas party and art auction.
“It’s something else to open up the building to being part of the community, so people can come and have a glass of champagne, some nibbles and connect with the artists,” Jennifer said.
It was a lively ending to a lively year.
“I inherited a program for the year but my plans were really to engage the community,” Jennifer said.
As part of those plans Castlemaine Secondary College students put on their own exhibition this year, and St Mary’s Primary School kids have been visiting monthly.
Next year will see a wider children's program established and a (with)drawing room for people to spend quiet time getting creative.
It will also be the first year the gallery officially joins with the Castlemaine State Festival.
And in another first, 2015 will see an indigenous exhibition, The Best of Colour by Ginger Riley.
“We will connect with local Dja Dja Wurrung people, and correct some historical errors in the museum,” Jennifer said.
“It’s great being here so close to the Bendigo Art Gallery and the NGV, who are really front runners in community engagement.
“That’s what I really want to do here.”