the Murray river
reflection in the Murray river
sunset over the Murray river
a beautiful gum on the side of the Murray river
sunset over the Murray river
Location and character of the region
The Mildura Wentworth Arts Festival
Location and character of the region
Mildura
is at the gateway to the outback. It is a city with a population of 60,000
and a municipality of 70,000 people. It is also the fastest growing inland
regional centre in Australia. For the past 8 years it has averaged an
annual increase in population of between 2.1% and 2.5%. The average age of
the population is reducing as younger families are settling in the area.
Research has indicated that people are coming to Mildura because of the
Mediterranean climate and because �it is a nice place to live�.
Mildura has the third busiest airport in Victoria after Tullamarine and
Avalon airports. Melbourne is an hour and a quarter away by plane and
there are also direct flights to Adelaide and Sydney. A network of major
routes leading from Mildura is fascinating. The expanse of exciting
landscapes is a many layered tapestry of colours, textures, tastes and
experiences. From meandering rivers and lush farmland to vast tracts of
red desert cratered with shimmering salt lakes.
Mildura
is located on the Murray River on the Victorian side of the border between
NSW and Victoria.
Mildura
is positioned near the borders of three States on the crossroads of
transport links between three capital cities and near the meeting point of
Australia�s two greatest rivers, the regions strategic location
continues to aid development and provides a distinctive regional flavour.
The closest major city is Adelaide which is 400 kilometres from Mildura.
Broken Hill is 300 kilometres and Mungo National Park (one of many
national parks in the area) is 110 kilometres from Mildura.
The
Willandra Lakes World heritage area, with Mungo Park at its centre,
maintains a continuous record of human occupation stretching back well
over 40,000 years. Rain and wind has uncovered ancient fireplaces and
hearths, as well as calcified plant matter, artefacts, stone tools and
animal bones. At the 33 kilometre long crescent of the Walls of China,
erosion has sculpted the sand and clay into dramatic formations.
European
settlement of the municipality began with grazing operations in the 1800s,
before Mildura became Australia's first irrigation settlement in the
middle of the century at the instigation of the Chaffey Brothers. Since
then the region has become a key service and economic hub of inland
Australia. The district produces hundreds of millions of dollars in export
revenue through sustainable, clean, green horticulture. Significant
commodities include dried fruits, olives, grains, vegetables, citrus,
table grapes and wine. Between a 1/4 and 1/3 of all grapes produced in
Australia are crushed in Mildura. The Mallee is also one of the biggest
grain growing areas in Australia.
The
people are culturally diverse (44 nationalities), which along with a
vibrant street life, local produce and strong arts community produce a
unique cosmopolitan feel. Stefano's Restaurant at the Grand Hotel has
won numerous awards including The
Age's, 2003 Best Restaurant
of the Year. Stefano's is one of only four Victorian country restaurants
to be awarded three hats in The Age
Good Food Guide Awards.
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Highest per capita population growth in the state
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Highest number of building approvals per capita in the state
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Expected to grow to the size of Ballarat
In
addition to a variety of Australian works, the foundation Elliott
Collection includes important paintings by Anglo-Irish artist Sir William
Orphen, a substantial number of works by Sir Frank Brangwyn and an Edgar
Degas pastel. The Arts Centre has a continuous program of touring art,
craft and social history exhibitions from around Australia plus the best
new work by artists from the Murray Darling region.
A series
of important contemporary art events primarily known as the Mildura
Sculpture Triennials took place between 1961 and 1988. The inheritance of
these events is a significant number of substantial public sculptures in
and around Mildura, especially on the Art Centre lawns and along Deakin
Avenue.
An
important regional, contemporary art event known as Murray Darling Palimpsest now
takes place every two years. Palimpsest explores issues of regional,
social and environmental sustainability and the intersection between the
arts and science.
The Mildura Wentworth Arts Festival
The Mildura Wentworth Arts Festival is held annually in March for three weeks. The program blends art and culture in varying locations including the Perry Sand Hills, the Australian Inland Botanical Gardens and local wineries. The Festival is synonymous with street theatre performance, classical and contemporary music, dance, theatre and visual arts. Opera by the lock and Kate Cebrano at the Perry Sand Hills are two examples of performances from the 2007 program. Mildura has many other festivals including the Writers Festival in July and the Jazz, Wine and Food festival in October.
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Murray River International Music Festival
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Jazz, Food & Wine Festival
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Mildura Writer's Festival
This
project has developed privately from a perceived visual arts gap and need
within the community. There are a large number of artists training and
living within the Mildura region. Latrobe University has a Mildura Campus
and has been producing graduate students for a number of years.
Additionally, local students have studied art in other institutions and
returned to the area. Artists from elsewhere have been attracted to the
region for a variety of reasons. In speaking with these people it became
obvious that there was a feeling of isolation, a lack of studio space,
stimulation and a shortage of venues in which to display and sell their
work both locally and on the internet.
In 2006
a property came up for auction which was seen to be in an ideal location.
It was on Deakin Avenue between Seventh and Eighth streets. The building
is on the main thoroughfare through the city and in the same block as The
Grand Hotel and the city's main restaurant area. It borders on the
city's shopping plaza and is one block from the Murray River. There is a
bus stop outside the building for both local commuters and tourists who
are dropped off at this point to explore the city.
Construction
and renovation of the building is due for completion later in 2008. The building is essentially two stories with a third floor section
at the front left hand side.
The
building consists of the following:
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Galleries containing high quality and professional art work
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Etching and lithography workshop areas
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Ten artists studio spaces
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Meeting room
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Communal kitchen
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Office
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Lift and stairs
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Toilets
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Two courtyards
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Some undercover security parking
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Two artist in residence units (each unit has a bedroom, bathroom, laundry, kitchen, living area, balcony - across a courtyard to main building and studio spaces - all on the second floor - underneath parking, printmaking facilities and galleries). Each unit will take a maximum of one artist and if negotiated their partner. Joint applications for the two units will be considered. The units are fully furnished, air-conditioned and have a security system.
View
plans of the building:
Ground floor plan 
Upper floor plan
Elevation