Perc Tucker Regional Gallery
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Perc (pronounced purse) Tucker Regional Gallery is a public art gallery in the City Centre of Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Located on the eastern end of Flinders Mall, the Gallery has a collection of over 2 000 artworks and hosts touring national and international exhibits. The gallery focuses on artwork relevant to North Queensland and the Tropics. The collection includes Contemporary Art of Tropical Queensland, Historical Art of Tropical Queensland, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Art, Contemporary Art from Papua New Guinea, Popular Art and Ephemera.[1] Perc Tucker has both Membership and Volunteer programs for supporters. Venue hire for functions is also available through Townsville City Council. Included in regular activities are art classes, exhibition tours, artists talks, lectures, workshops, and performances.
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[edit] Strand Ephemera
Every second year the gallery presents Strand Ephemera which is hosted for ten days in September on The Strand, Townsville. Sculpture artworks are exhibited over the two kilometre beachfront strip. Complimenting the exhibition are a range of related activities such as guided tours, performances, art workshops, artists' talks and a public art forum.[2]
[edit] Collection of artwork and exhibitions
[edit] History
The Building which is now host to Perc Tucker Regional Gallery was built by the Union Bank of Australia in 1885 for their northern headquarters. Designed by colonial architect F.D. G. Stanley the building was single story until a second story was added in the early 30s. The Union Bank eventually became the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group and in the building was its regional headquarters until 1980 when Townsville City Council purchased the heritage building as a venue for Townsville's first public art gallery. The Queensland Government subsidised the initial purchase, however the majority of funding both for the foundation and operating costs of the gallery have been funded by the Local Government Authority.[1]
Perc Tucker Regional Gallery was opened by then Townsville Mayor Mike Reynolds in 1981 and named after former Mayor, Alderman Perc Tucker.[1] Perc Tucker was a significant North Queensland politician, he was elected as the State Member for North Townsville 1960 and went on to become the Deputy Leader of the Labor Party Opposition to the Bjelke-Petersen Government in the Queensland Parliament. In 1974 Mr. Tucker lost his seat of North Townsville but moved into the role of Mayor of Townsville soon after in 1976. On top the usual Council responsibilities of roads, drains, sewerage and water-reticulation his administration's achievements included; second stage of the Ross River Dam, the design and construction of the Townsville Civic Theatre, the development of Flinders Mall and the planning for the gallery which was to become commonly know as 'Perc Tucker' to future generations of Townsvillians. Perc Tucker died in office 20 August 1980.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Townsville City Council - PERC TUCKER REGIONAL GALLERY HISTORY. Retrieved on 2007-04-02.
- ^ Townsville City Council - Strand Ephermera. Retrieved on 2007-04-03.
- ^ Anne Smith, 'Tucker, Percy John Robert (1919 - 1980)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 16, Melbourne University Press, 2002, pp 417-418.. Retrieved on 2007-04-03.
