Tamworth Regional Art Gallery to go digital in new travelling exhibition

Gallery Director Bridget Guthrie said the textile show would open on August 1 before going on national tour for three years.

The new show at Tamworth Regional Art Gallery will look at "the challenges that 2020 and some of 2019 has put forward for our artists and our community", she said.

Local MP Barnaby Joyce today announced the innovative project would receive government support to the tune of $47,465.

The member for New England said Tensions 2020: Tamworth Textile Triennial is "a perfect example" of the benefits of the innovative new technology of augmented reality.

"If there is one thing COVID-19 has shown us, it's how we all can more effectively navigate the digital world," he said.

He said the gallery would use "augmented reality and social media to engage online audiences".

But offline art is soon to return to Tamworth as well.

Ms Guthrie said Tamworth's Gallery announced the institution set to open its doors on June 2, after state-wide a loosening of coronavirus restrictions on June 1.

They would have opened a day earlier, but the gallery doesn't open Mondays, she said.

She said COVID-19 had forced the gallery into its longest closure in history.

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"Initially, when there was the requirement to close, we had to cancel over 50 public programs, events, exhibitions, within a few days.

"That was challenging, no-one will deny that was challenging."

She said there was a "grieving process" for the lost effort.

Ms Guthrie said she hopes the long-term effect of the lockdown will be to make Tamworth art more accessible to residents, and to art-lovers around the world.

Over 25 artists have contributed to the Tamworth Textile Triennial.

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