News for Members

Keep up-to-date with MRAGM events and activities.

We are delighted to welcome new Gallery Director, Gerry Bobsien, to MRAG. Gerry was appointed to the role in May 2020 and becomes the fourth Director of MRAG, following on from Margaret Sivyer OAM (Maitland City Art Gallery), Joe Eisenberg OAM and Brigette Uren.

Gerry comes to MRAG from a role at the National Gallery in Canberra and has experience in the Hunter region’s art sector, having worked at the Lock-Up Contemporary Art Space in Newcastle. She has also worked as a blacksmith and is the author of several children’s books.

The Members’ Committee has loved working with Keryl Collard and Kattie Bugeja, who steered the Gallery through its 18 months in-between Directors, and thanks them wholeheartedly for their hard work and wonderful support.

Member Events Update

Autumn Season Celebration at MRAG, 29 Feb 2020

With so much having changed in the world since the bustle of the Gallery’s Autumn exhibitions launch in February 2020 (image above), it will come as no surprise that several of our planned member events have been postponed. Our art sale fundraiser has been rescheduled for August 2021, but we hold onto a tentative hope that our Members Christmas Party may be able to go ahead on 26 November 2020 in some form.

Dive into MRAG Online!

We are thrilled to have launched an online membership platform, making it much easier to renew, join or gift a membership via the MRAG website. We hope this encourages more Gallery visitors to join (and current members to renew!). For our members who love to renew in person, please do not hesitate to visit.

The more supporters MRAG has through membership, the better we can support access to arts and culture in the community.

Visit mrag.org.au/support-us/ become-a-member/

Acknowledgments

The MRAGM committee would like to acknowledge the passing of valued long-term member and Gallery volunteer, Sandra Tweedie, in early May. Sandra first started volunteering at MRAG in 2008 and will be dearly remembered for her dedication, bright mind and community spirit. We offer our condolences to her husband, Frank, and her beautiful family.

Thank you to outgoing committee member Kerri Gear, who recently relocated interstate, for her valued contribution to MRAGM over the past year.

The MRAGM Committee wishes to thank all members for your support of the Gallery. You can contact us via email at mragm@gmail.com

Save the Dates

MRAGM events | Hosted by the MRAG Members Committee

5 September 2020*

'A Passion Shared' exhibition tour with collector Gordon Elliott (Members' exclusive)

21 October 2020*

MRAGM Annual General Meeting. All current financial members welcome (5.30pm for a 6pm start)

Rescheduled to August 2021

MRAG Contemporary Art Sale

Key MRAG events

29 August 2020*

Spring season exhibition opening

28 November 2020*

Summer season exhibition opening

*Please check email, social media and the MRAG website closer to the time for updates about how (and if) these events will go ahead.