The Wama Foundation will open its doors mid-winter 2025 as Australia's first dedicated environmental art centre.
Located on Djab Wurrung and Jardwadjali lands in the Gariwerd/Grampians region, the Wama Foundation represents a groundbreaking fusion of contemporary art and environmental engagement. The ambitious project has been years in the making, driven by patron Glenda Lewin and a collective of local artists who envisioned celebrating the relationship between art and nature whilst expanding the cultural offerings of regional Victoria.
The Wama Foundation encompasses a sprawling 16-hectare precinct that promises to transform how visitors experience environmental art. At its heart sits the National Centre for Environmental Art, a purpose-built gallery space funded through the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund. This flagship venue will showcase interdisciplinary approaches to environmental themes, offering nuanced perspectives through a spirit of inquiry that challenges traditional boundaries between art and nature.
National Centre for Environmental Art
- Where: 4000 Ararat-Halls Gap Road, Halls Gap, Victoria
- When: Opening mid-winter 2025
- Contact: (03) 9996 9810 or [email protected]
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The precinct extends far beyond conventional gallery walls, incorporating the Gariwerd/Grampians Gardens, which feature endemic plantings, Jallukar Grasslands, and ephemeral wetlands. These living landscapes serve as both artistic installations and functioning ecosystems, demonstrating the foundation’s commitment to authentic environmental engagement rather than mere representation.
Visitors will encounter outdoor artworks integrated throughout the site, including works by artists such as Jacobus Capone and Jemila MacEwan. The foundation’s opening programme includes the exhibition End & Being by Jacobus Capone and the artwork Spring by Jemila MacEwan, alongside Weekend at Wama events designed to encourage ongoing community participation.
Boardwalks, bird hides and wildlife
The development represents a significant investment in regional cultural infrastructure, with stage one opening this winter and stage two planned to include additional landscaping, boardwalks, bird hides, a nature play zone, wildlife encounters, and an extended sculpture trail. The foundation has maintained community momentum through volunteer programmes, working bees, Nature Play Days, and workshops whilst construction progressed.
Located approximately six minutes from Halls Gap, 90 minutes from Ballarat, and three hours from Melbourne, the Wama Foundation requires car access due to limited public transport options. The site encourages visitors to plan extended stays, exploring the broader Grampians region including ancient rock art sites, local wineries, and accommodation providers.
The foundation’s shop will feature ceramics, jewellery, books, woodwork, local preserves, pickles, honey, and merchandise, supporting both local artisans and the foundation’s ongoing operations. This retail component reinforces the organisation’s commitment to sustainable cultural practice and community economic development.
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