New Art Centre
At first during 2007-08 Papunya Tjupi Art Centre temporarily operated out of a small residential house in Papunya Community.
Artist painting on the ground at the residential house - August 2008
Artist painting on the ground at the residential house - August 2008.
With the generosity of Papunya Council we were able to secure a large and permanent premises with a central location to operate from. This building however had been left derelict for many years and required much renovation before we could occupy. Photo
Together with federal funding and a substantial donation from the artists themselves we have been able to renovate the former mechanics shed into a spacious painting space. We moved into the new building at the beginning of 2009.
The artists celebrated with a Community Opening in April 2009.
Showing the kids how to dance at the opening
Showing the kids how to dance at the opening.
Kids dancing at the opening
Kids dancing at the opening.
Dancing at the Community New Art Centre Opening - April 2009
Dancing at the Community New Art Centre Opening - April 2009.
In May 2009 we held a fund raising exhibition, “Building Papunya Tjupi”, at The Ivan Doherty Galley in association with the College of Fine Arts, UNSW in Sydney. Almost $30,000 was raised to develop our gallery space were we hope to encourage visitors to Papunya.
Ivand Dougherty Fund Raising Exhibition 'Building Papunya Tjupi' 1-23 May 2009
Ivand Dougherty Fund Raising Exhibition 'Building Papunya Tjupi' 1-23 May 2009.
Interior of New Art Centre - April 2009
Interior of New Art Centre - April 2009.
With a fresh coat of paint - March 2009
With a fresh coat of paint - March 2009.
More building work still needs to be completed. Through the Desart application to Aboriginal Benefit Account for capital works on Art Centers, we hope to build a ‘Men’s painting space’ and put a fence around our Art centre. The artists have also requested a Bush Tucker and Bush Medicine garden and a BBQ space for meetings.