An Artistic Legacy: A History of the Athenaeum Art Gallery
Discover the story behind the opening of the Melbourne Athenaeum Art Gallery and its role as one of Melbourne's most significant art spaces.
The Melbourne Athenaeum lays at the heart of the city’s cultural, artistic and literary history. Established in 1839 as the Melbourne Mechanics’ Institute it provided the city with its first library, museum and exhibition space. In 1910, its role as an arts hub was expanded with the opening of the Athenaeum Art Gallery. The Gallery was in operation for over sixty years and exhibited the work of some of Australia’s most acclaimed artists. This lecture, presented by Fiona Moore, Archives Manager at the Melbourne Athenaeum, will bring to light the history behind the Athenaeum Art Gallery. Led by the Athenaeum’s Secretary, Reginald W. E. Wilmot, and supported by prominent Melbourne artists as well as the Victorian Artists’ Society, the vision was to create a gallery in the central business district open to both established and emerging artists. It is a history that remains relatively unknown, and this lecture will unveil the enduring artistic legacy of this significant art gallery.