A celebration of Southern Highlands artisans has gained award-winning success.
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The Berrima District Museum display A Butcher, A Baker, A bunch of Makers has been announced a winner of the 2019 IMAGineE Awards for A museum - Volunteer organisation with two or less paid staff.
This exhibition was presented in the museum's new state-of-the-art digital gallery. It combined photography, video and handmade artworks spanning 70 years, showcasing the best talent of the region including work by sculptor David Ball, weavers Natalie Miller and Brooke Munro, painter James King, metal artist Heidi McGeogh, and leatherworker Trevor Jones.
Local photographer Ashley Mackevicius shot all the imagery included in the show.
The exhibition was described by museum representatives as offering a unique juxtaposition of beautiful age-old skills with technology.
A report to the award's organisers by the museum said that viewers were entranced by local makers sharing their love of everything from breadmaking to basketry, weaving, ceramics, painting inspired by the history of the area, silversmithing and leatherwork, all told through audio, video and photography on digital screens.
The exhibition was very well received, and school holidays were especially successful with the exhibition open every day. Many locals commented that they didn't know about the museum prior to the exhibition. Since the opening of the new Digital Gallery, local community visitation to the Museum has increased by 37 pe cent.
The IMAGinE awards promote and strengthen the NSW museum and gallery sector. They honour best practice education programs, outreach projects, exhibitions, collection management projects and achievements of individuals.
Recognising innovation and excellence in over 500 museums, galleries and Aboriginal cultural centres across NSW, the IMAGinE awards acknowledge the outstanding achievements of more than 9000 paid and volunteer workers in fostering richer local communities and their contribution to diversity within the NSW museum and gallery sector.
This year attracted a strong selection of nominations representing the best of regional and metropolitan NSW visual arts and cultural heritage experiences.
There were many new museums and galleries nominated for the first time as well as great new projects from past nominees and winners. These awards offer a unique opportunity for museums and galleries to promote their achievements and raise their profile within the community.
Michael Rolfe, CEO, Museums and Galleries of NSW commended all recipients across the categories of Exhibition Projects, Engagement, Sustainability and Individual Achievement in paid and volunteered staffed organisations.
He said this year's nominations were again of an unprecedented standard and the competition in many of the categories was extremely close.
"I would particularly like to acknowledge the number of outstanding First Nations exhibitions and projects, many among the winners and highly commended, and applaud the depth of community involvement demonstrated by these nominations," he said.
"Each year we see trends across the sector and the strength of in-depth education and engagement stood out as did the increasing focus on environment and sustainability both in terms of content and organisational practices.
As in past years the 2019 IMAGinE Awards also highlighted the many incredible partnerships involved in the projects taking place across the state whether they be between institutions, with local council, community or schools or other cultural organisations. The quality and diversity of these projects is a testament to the power of collaboration and consultation."
