Ngununggula, the Southern Highlands’ first regional art gallery, will open to the public on 12 October 2021, following a delay due to the COVID-19 lockdown in NSW. The Gallery will open with two inaugural exhibitions by celebrated Australian artists Tamara Dean and Megan Cope. Meaning “belonging” in the traditional language of the Gundungurra First Nation People, Ngununggula is located in what was the old dairy at Retford Park, which has received a heritage-sensitive redesign undertaken by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer and constructed by Richard Crookes Constructions, surrounded by a landscaped garden created by Jane Irwin.

Featuring four gallery spaces spanning the 712m2 footprint of the building, including an Entry Pavilion and an education space, Ngununggula will feature a program that represents the region and beyond through significant exhibitions, artist-led projects, live events, workshops, artist talks and public programs. Creating engaging ways for the local community to connect with artists and their ideas will be at the core of Ngununggula’s philosophy.

Image: Zan Wimberley