THERE is a change of guard at Sturt Gallery and Café.
Mark Viner took on the top job as the new Head of Sturt last week.
He will oversee the management of the Mittagong gallery, shop, café and annual course program.
The keen architectural artist brings with him a strong eye for structural detail gleaned from a career background in design in two countries.
Mr Viner began his working life in England where he spent about 10 years working as a theatre set designer responsible for the construction of scenes and stage props.
His move to Australia saw him spend several years working as the regional arts development officer for south-east NSW, which took in the Southern Highlands area including Surt.
Mr Viner has spent the past nine years with the Historic Houses Trust in Sydney.
He said he was excited about his new role and looked forward to the continuation of a strong creative and community tradition for Sturt established at Mittagong in 1941.
“The original intention of Sturt founder Winifred West was to provide an outlet for practical training for creativity, which also enabled people to exhibit and sell their works,” he said.
“Sturt was established with a strong connection to the community and that connection remains true today.
Mr Viner said the business offered learning opportunities via “over one hundred courses each year” including summer and winter school.
“It offers something to the community every day of the year except Christmas Day and Good Friday - that’s commitment,” he said.
Mr Viner said the “sky is the limit” as far as Sturt was concerned and he wanted to involve staff, Friends of Sturt and the artists in ensuring the business reached its full potential.
“I want to make this place sing,” he said.
“I would like to make it more popular with the local community as well as develop its appeal for a broader tourist market.”
However, Mr Viner said he had no intention of being hasty about his plans.
“In the short term I will take the opportunity to review the business and chat with staff,” he said.
“Sturt is made up of a small dedicated team of staff and everyone needs to be a stakeholder in its future direction.
“At the moment I enjoy working directly with the artists by going into the classes to talk to tutors and students.”
Mr Viner said he was especially interested in the wood school.
This is not surprising considering his background in construction and architecture.
“I gained a lot of carpentry experience during my work in England,” he said.
THE opportunity to learn and expand creative horizons is on offer through a variety of Sturt courses.
Enrolments are now being taken for winter school, to be conducted from July 5-9.
Head of Sturt Mark Viner said enrolments for the intensive 12-week wood work courses - conducted four times each year - were also still being accepted.
Meanwhile, several local artists will take the opportunity to showcase their work at the Serial Printers exhibition by the Southern Highlands Printmakers to open in Sturt Gallery from February 14-March 21.
The exhibition will be open daily from 10am-5pm.
Details and course enrolments: 4860 2083 or 4860 2080.
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