Galleries Galore and Their Gorgeous Art

Discover Sydney's fabulous and ever changing art scene and get an insider’s view into its stunning art precincts with their colourful surroundings. Each walk is specially designed to take you to a hub of diverse venues from major galleries to unexpected spaces tucked away in hidden corners and laneways. Meet gallerists, curators and artists, learn about the styles, ideas and inspirations of Australian and international art and gain a deeper understanding of the beautiful and wondrous world of art. Meet at the steps of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Old Building, Art Gallery Road, The Domain 10 minutes before the tour starts so it can commence on time. Please note that a moderate level of fitness is required for walking and occasional stair climbing.

This course will go ahead whatever the weather, except where the guide deems there to be a threat to health and safety. In this situation you will be contacted with an alternative date. Please ensure your mobile phone number is up-to-date with WEA before enrolling and make sure you take it with you on the day in case the tutor needs to contact you.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

SUGGESTED READING

• Art Almanac and Art Guide, listing Australian art galleries and current exhibitions

COURSE OUTLINE

Each new meeting point will be announced the week before and then emailed to the participants with a map of how to get there. Each tour is structured to visit a manageable number of galleries in short walking distance. The first meeting introduces students to the variety of free, temporary exhibitions at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the nearby galleries. The following sessions provide pre-arranged visits to the galleries in the most active art precincts in Sydney, including Chippendale, Darlinghurst, Paddington and East Sydney discussing:

• The distinct urban character and architecture of each neighbourhood and venue visited. 
• Variety of Australian and international artists who show their work in Sydney and give the opportunity to experience a wide range of media and styles, be it abstract or figurative drawings and paintings, photography, sculpture, glass art and ceramic, installations and new technologies.
• Historical influences, art movements and artists’ ideas and inspirations.
• Information about the various types of galleries and some aspects of their history.
• Introductions to the respective exhibitions by directors, curators and artists when possible.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Discuss aspects of the work of contemporary Australian and International artists
2. Evaluate a variety of styles and media in contemporary art
3. Discuss artists’ ideas and inspirations
4. Describe different types of galleries and their locations