Pomona Railway Gallery was filled to overflowing on Saturday 7 March when members, volunteers, supporters, sponsors and officials joined together to celebrate 25 years at the community gallery.
“A quarter of a century – what an accomplishment,” said Mayor Frank Wilkie who officially marked the occasion, thanking
committee members Ann White, Sally Holt, Julie Dare, Suellen Tomkins, Melindy Robertson for organising the event and acknowledging the gallery’s volunteers, artists, supporters and life members as well as Radio FM101.3 which broadcasted the occasion live.
“The gallery was officially opened on 24 March, 2001 but the journey began six years earlier when group of creative enthusiasts formed the Pomona Progress Art and Tourism Association (PPATA), already managing the historic Majestic Theatre. The group sought to establish an art gallery for Pomona,” Cr Wilkie told the crowd.
“Through negotiations and cooperation involving PPATA, Qld Rail, Pomona Chamber of Commerce and Noosa Shire Council suitable land was secured. The railway buildings were relocated to their current site on April 2000.
“Commonwealth funding of $16,000 along with determination of volunteers enabled the transformation of railway buildings into a gallery.
“The Pomona markets were established to help generate funds and support the gallery’s ongoing operational expenses.
Cr Wilkie said community galleries like Pomona, of which there are only five in Queensland, provide far more than simply a creative space, offering affordable exhibition space to local emerging artists is invaluable for nurturing confidence and artistic abilities.
“The value these places deliver include knowledge sharing, social and cultural enrichment, financial return and professional development,” he said.
“Last year alone this gallery hosted 36 exhibitions with 40 volunteers donating an incredible 2260 hours to keep the gallery open six days and week and welcome over 10,000 visitors, both local and interstate.”
Volunteers often describe this gallery as a community within a community providing priceless social interaction, connections for all involved, the Mayor said.
Gallery president Ron Collins also thanked volunteers and acknowledged the support of Noosa Council in supporting and assisting the gallery.
The celebration marked the beginning of further 25th anniversary celebrations including an historic exhibition, a workshop led by artist Amber Cresswell-Bell on 29 April at Majestic Theatre, an emerging artist prize with more than $4000 in cash and other prizes, plus a finalists exhibition.
There will also be a special Pomona Market event with a focus on Pomona gallery artists.
