Southeast Queensland has a new cultural and tourist attraction with the opening of the Abbey Museum Art Gallery and Cafe in the Moreton Bay region.
The Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology has expanded to include a gallery showcasing previously unseen paintings and icons dating from the 15th century, and sculptures as old as 1000BC. The expansion was made possible through State Government and private funding.
The gallery is expected to attract visitors to explore its internationally significant art collections and contribute to local tourism.
It was officially launched by the Queensland Tourism Minister, Andrew Powell MP, who highlighted the importance of the Abbey Museum to the Moreton Bay community and as a tourism asset and attraction for visitors to Bribie Island.
“The new art gallery means Abbey Museum can expand its cultural offerings to entice locals and visitors into a world of art and culture through the ages,” Minister Powell said.
“The Queensland Government provided $1.95 million towards the redevelopment of the art gallery and café which is a perfect place for people who want a unique experience – from history buffs to families looking to learn about history.”
This is strengthened by the recently donated ‘Vision of St Hubert’ in the collection, for which a preparatory drawing exists in the Louvre, with the original right here Moreton Bay.
The gallery’s first exhibition, Inspired Images: The Art of Faiths, explores human history through works inspired by diverse spiritual beliefs. The collection includes medieval, renaissance and baroque paintings and sculptures, ceramics, stained glass, and works on paper, providing a rich resource for tourists and school groups, which already make approximately 10,000 visits to the museum annually.
The exhibition catalogue has been produced with funding from the Gordon Darling Foundation, a supporter of visual arts projects across Australia and was launched by art dealer and philanthropist Philip Bacon AO.
Mayor Peter Flannery said the Abbey Museum was a unique experience and part of the rich tapestry of experiences that can be found in City of Moreton Bay.
“This exciting addition to the Abbey Museum will elevate our city’s great culture and liveability offering even more reasons for visitors to come and explore Moreton Bay,” Mayor Flannery said.
“I am proud that City of Moreton Bay is internationally recognised as one of the premier medieval history destinations in the southern hemisphere, largely to the exceptional work of the Abbey Museum.
“City of Moreton Bay is known as ‘The Living City’, where the past shapes the present, and the future is filled with opportunities, and the Abbey Museum expansion perfectly reflects this.”
The project has been supported by the Queensland Government, Creative Australia through Plus1 funding, the Gordon Darling Foundation, and numerous benefactors.
