By Cam Lucadou-Wells
In an indication of Casey’s untapped love of the arts, Bunjil Place Gallery has been packing in visitors in its first month.
Since opening on 28 October, more than 13,000 have ventured into the gallery’s opening exhibition Designing Bunjil Place.
That’s well on track towards topping the gallery’s annual forecast of 50,000, says gallery director Georgia Cribb.
“We were always thinking big, but this gives us added confidence to continue our plan.
“What people are saying is how wonderful it is to have this in their backyard.”
The downside is for patrons, including the next-door Casey ARC visitors, who are still reporting the occasional parking crush.
Casey safer communities manager Caroline Bell said digital parking signage which went live on 4 December had caused a “marked improvement”.
She said adjustments had been made to the car parking zones in the surrounding area.
Concerns from ARC visitors had dropped significantly, Ms Bell said.
An ARC patron said that parking had improved since Bunjil’s opening days. However, it was still hard to find a space during shows at Bunjil’s 800-seat theatre.
Casey active communities group manager James Rouse said there was much entertainment to look forward to in coming weeks, including Christmas themed events, the giant Christmas tree and nativity scene.
Running five exhibitions a year, the gallery’s aim is to showcase Casey artists, as well as national and international works.
Its next exhibition Let’s Play: the art of our time is a case in point, with more than 20 Australian and international artists on display.
It opens on 14 December.
