Hamilton Gallery has recently announced its highly anticipated international exhibition, ’Emerging From Darkness,’ set to open on the 8 December 2023 at 6pm and running until mid April 2024. Now, local hospitality, accommodation and retail businesses are invited to join Council CEO Tony Doyle and Gallery Director Joshua White to learn how they can be involved, jointly promote the region and take advantage of the increased visitation in the region throughout the exhibition.
The gallery's recent success with the Robert Martiensen exhibition has demonstrated the profound positive influence significant exhibitions can have on the local economy. In the 10-week duration of the exhibition, 3,549 people walked through the Hamilton Gallery doors, with almost 2000 of those coming in the final eight days of the exhibition, after major exposure in the media. Visitors came from across the country and as far as Western Australia, staying multiple nights in the region.
Gallery Director Joshua White said the feedback from local businesses following the Robert Martiensen exhibition was extremely positive. “We’ve spoken to a number of Hamilton CBD businesses who said they had a significant upturn in trade over the final weeks of the exhibition. One in particular said the increase in customers was so considerable, that it actually turned around the long-term prospects for their business, which is really wonderful to hear,” Mr White said.
"Our upcoming exhibition ‘Emerging from Darkness’ is a significant cultural milestone for our gallery and our community," continued Mr White. “We have carefully curated the exhibition to showcase a diverse range of world-class artworks, many never seen in public before, that will not only captivate our local audience but also attract visitors from far and wide."
The impact of Emerging from Darkness on the Southern Grampians economy is expected to be substantial.
"The Robert Martiensen exhibition showed the positive impact a good exhibition can have on local businesses," stated White. "With 'Emerging from Darkness,' we anticipate a significantly higher number of visitors coming to our region, for a period of close to five months. This will undoubtedly boost the local economy and provide many opportunities for businesses to thrive."
To provide more insight into this groundbreaking exhibition and its potential impact on the region, Council and Hamilton Gallery are inviting local retail, hospitality and accommodation businesses to attend an information session.
Tony Doyle, CEO Southern Grampians Shire Council and Gallery director Joshua White will be on hand to discuss the importance of the exhibition to the region. Mary McArthur, Council’s Visitor Services Coordinator will also attend to discuss opportunities to jointly encourage increased and extended visitation within the region throughout the exhibition period.
"We recognise the potential this exhibition has to attract a significant number of visitors to our Shire, further strengthening our local businesses and tourism sector. We invite all our local businesses to come along and hear all about the extensive marketing program behind ‘Emerging from Darkness’, the expected surge in visitor numbers, and opportunities to get involved and reap the benefits,” Mr Doyle said.
The information sessions are being held on Monday 20 November at 5:30pm and Tuesday 21 November at 1pm in the Hamilton Cinema with light refreshments provided. RSVP to info@hamiltongallery.com.au or 55730460.