Leaky gallery roof forces 2021 Murray Bridge Rotary Art Show to be postponed
Murray Bridge Regional Gallery has closed its doors until mid-July.
A leaky roof has forced the cancellation of an exhibition opening scheduled for this weekend at Murray Bridge Regional Gallery.
The local council, which owns the gallery, was forced to make the decision on Tuesday after a downpour began leaking into the main exhibition space last weekend.
The Murray Bridge Rotary Art Show had been due to open on Sunday.
Instead it will have to wait until mid-July.
Artworks had already been mounted in the two smaller spaces at the gallery, the Jean Sims Gallery and Vicki Nottage Sculpture Court, but thankfully none was damaged.
A record number of works had been submitted for the show – 30 per cent more than for the last show, in 2019, in fact.
Almost all of those works will now remain in storage at the gallery, safe and covered by the council’s insurance, until the exhibition's new opening date.
However, Murray Bridge News understands the creators of two particularly valuable works were to be given the option to come and collect them if they chose.
Gallery director Fulvia Mantelli said the timing was unfortunate.
Still, she looked forward to the exhibition going ahead, if a little later than expected.
“When we are back on deck, this exhibition promises to be one not to miss, so make sure you keep an eye out for the new dates,” she said.
This year’s entries – which include landscapes, riverscapes, portraits, still-lifes and abstract works – will be judged by Country Arts SA visual arts program manager Lauren Mustillo.
The gallery’s roof had been in the process of being replaced.
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