Sutherland Shire’s Hazelhurst Art Gallery experienced the ‘best year ever’ in its 17 year history.
Attendances reached 233,793 in 2017, up from 231,549 in 2016 and 224,597 in 2015.
The 2017 numbers were boosted by the popular European Old Masters exhibition at the end of last year which saw 24,000 people attend.
It was the second highest visited exhibition in the gallery’s history.
The Old Masters joins other blockbuster exhibitions at the gallery including 2016’s Indigenous Nganampa Kililpil: Our Stars exhibition which attracted more than 20,000 people over 58 days.
2016 also saw 24,696 people attend WONDER: Contemporary Art for Children and Alasdair Macintyre: The Adventures of AECAP in 57 days.
And in 2013, 25,632 people saw Brett Whiteley: On the Water during 73 days. In 2015, 21,868 people saw Labours of Love: Australian Quilts 1845 – 2015 in 58 days.
2017 also saw more than 5,500 school children visit the gallery.
Sutherland Shire mayor Carmelo Pesce hailed the gallery’s record figures.
“More people are coming from all over Sydney to experience one of Sutherland Shire Council’s treasures,” Cr Pesce said.
“Hazelhurst Arts Centre really has something for everyone and that is what makes it so unique.”
Hazelhurst Art Centre director Belinda Hanrahan took the opportunity to thank the artists whose work has inspired people to visit, as well as thank staff and volunteers.
Hazelhurst is one of the most vibrant and welcoming galleries in New South Wales and these numbers reflect that people enjoy visiting, she said.
Hazelhurst has a changing exhibition program, seven art studios offering more than 50 courses, plus 30 weekend masterclasses each year.
There are more than 160 school holiday classes for children, a theatrette screening art-house and award winning films which hundreds of people enjoy for free, a community gallery for artists to sell their work and a popular café.
