The garage of Hazelhurst cottage is to be converted into a high quality studio for artists-in-residence.
Since 2000, more than 250 artists from NSW, interstate and overseas have lived in at Hazelhurst for periods ranging from a weekend to more than a month.
However, the small, makeshift studio, situated on a landing between two upstairs bedrooms, has proved a drawback, particularly for wet work.
Creating a new, dedicated, larger studio has been a long term goal of Hazelhurst Arts Centre.
A state government grant of $17,500, with matching funding from Sutherland Shire Council, has made the project possible.
Arts Minister Don Harwin and Miranda MP Eleni Petinos announced the Create NSW grant from a fund which supports smaller scale capital infrastructure for arts and cultural venues.
Arts centre curator Carrie Kibbler said the work was expected to start in August and be completed by the end of the year.
The new studio will be six metres long, three metres wide and 3.5 metres high, which will be much bigger than the existing area.
Other advantages include its ground floor location with private doorway and driveway access, internal access into the library and suitability for wet work, with a sink easily connected to the water main.
Construction will be undertaken by the council’s building works department in consultation with Hazelhurst.
At present, the garage houses the filtration system for the onsite pond.
All original heritage features of the garage will be retained.
The grant application said, “Hazelhurst Regional Gallery was made possible through the generous gift by Ben and Hazel Broadhurst of their 1.3 hectare property and original 1940s house”.
“Following receipt of the property in the 1990s it was determined to build a major arts centre, and Hazelhurst was opened in February 2000,” the document said.
“The original house was then converted into public spaces, including a meeting room, kitchen, dining room, digital media studio and bathroom downstairs, and an artist’s residence upstairs including a bedroom, lounge and small adjoining studio.
“The current upstairs studio is approximately two metres by 2.5 metres, with a low ceiling and a large window overlooking the gardens.”
The application said, in 2016, to coincide with 60th anniversary of the development of the site, the Friends of Hazelhurst and the council began restoring the house to make better use of it as a public facility.
“This has including installing a public access library of art books, repainting the house, renovating the kitchen, relocating the digital media equipment and restoring the original sunken lounge for use as Friends meeting and events room,” the document said.
The application said, with the new studio, Hazelhurst aimed to have an artist in residence program with one artist per month.
“Artists will apply on an annual basis that will include a proposal and rationale as to how this engages with and is of benefit to the local community.
“Artists may apply for accommodation in addition to the studio.
“Preference for accommodation will be given to regional, interstate and international artists.
“The studio will be used by artists to develop or research new work.
“This may include work for projects and exhibitions at Hazelhurst.
“Artists will also have the opportunity to develop site specific projects for Hazelhurst’s gardens or other public areas throughout the Sutherland LGA; develop community engagement projects, hold open studios and artist talks; collaborate with other artists from the local area or wider Sydney area, and utilise Hazelhurst’s education studios including the ceramics and printmaking studios.”
