Construction of a new art gallery being built in the central business district of Collie, Western Australia, is on schedule and progressing well. The building is starting to take shape with the completion of the bulk steel frame last month.
Work is progressing nicely on a series of rammed earth walls that will form the sides of the gallery as well as a large angled feature wall that will run through the reception, main gallery and studio areas.
The rammed earth walls will be complemented by feature timber awning and door furniture, providing a sense of warmth and texture against the white polished concrete floors and white walls. The remainder of the exterior will be finished in commercial grade, vandal resistant tiling with stainless steel structural features.
A large public sculpture is planned for the entrance of the gallery that will be capable of being used as an iconic representation of the town and its new art gallery.
Demolition has begun on the old stage near the Margaretta Wilson Centre, which will make way for a new level-crossing of the railway tracks, opening the gallery’s frontage to Forrest Street and overlooking the central park, which will be completed next year.
The Collie Art Gallery is being built as part of the Shire of Collie’s SuperTowns program and has been made possible with funding from the Shire of Collie, Royalty for Regions, Lotterywest and the Collie & Districts Community Bank Branch of the Bendigo Bank.
The design includes 150 square metres of gallery space, a 50-square-metre studio and adequate storage and working space, which will allow it to host exhibitions of national and international significance.
Construction is expected to be complete early in 2015.