The Condensery - Somerset Regional Art Gallery is a vibrant cultural precinct in the Somerset region.
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About Us
The Condensery - Somerset Regional Art Gallery has a rich history, formerly home to the Nestlé condensed milk factory packing facility. The historical site has received multiple awards for the adaptive reuse of the dilapidated factory and its contemporary architecture.
Now a unique cultural precinct, the building hosts regular changing exhibitions and workshops and various events throughout the year. Our program presents both regional and national artists in solo and group presentations across media as well as drawing major touring exhibitions of contemporary art to the Somerset region.
Visit the gallery and be greeted by a hand-sculptured bronze red deer statue by world renowned Somerset artist, the late Bodo Muche. The sculpture represents an important part of Toogoolawah’s heritage – a gift of red deer from Queen Victoria in 1873 in celebration of the state being named in her honour.
Two stags, Norman and Bolingbroke, and four hinds, Atlas, Alma, Ada and Martha arrived from the Windsor Castle gardens aboard the Great Queensland and were released on the McConnel family property on 19 September 1873. You may catch site of their descents roaming the paddocks nearby.
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Exhibitions
The gallery aims to present a program of dynamic and vibrant contemporary art exhibitions, artist projects and activities that excite and inspire visitors and create a space for discussion, connection and learning. See more information on our current exhibition below.
Senior School Showcase | 25 September - 31 October 2021
The exhibition draws together artwork by senior students from Toogoolawah State High School produced over the last year, showcasing the budding talents of our region’s school students.
Drawn to Home | Catherine O’Donnell | 6 November 2021 - 23 January 2022
Drawn to Home brings together recent work by artist Catherine O’Donnell. Through large scale drawing her work examines the architecture, culture and history in the everyday-ness of the urban and suburban environment, exploring the beauty of the uncelebrated and ordinary. Known for her exquisite draftsmanship and elegant handling of architectural details, she is particularly interested in the way that the vernacular architecture and general street scapes of the places we regularly inhabit become recessed into our minds like wallpaper - giving life to the commonly overlooked dwellings of everyday existence.
The Lost Hour | Diana Baker Smith | 6 November 2021 - 23 January 2022
The Lost Hour is a video essay exploring the significant yet relatively unknown Australian artist, choreographer, and dancer Philippa Cullen (1950-75). It focuses on Cullen’s performance, 24-Hour Concert (1974), which involved over 30 artists from across Australia – many of whom are now major figures. Visiting the sites where Cullen staged the performance, and where her archives now reside, Baker Smith performs embodied acts of remembering and misremembering, acknowledging that many of Cullen’s archives have deteriorated or been lost. Pertinent to the history of The Condensery’s heritage bomb shelter, which was previously the repository for the Nestlé company archives during the second world war and is now a dedicated exhibition space, Baker Smith’s work reflects on how art, and its engagements with archives, can help us remember important Australian artworks, and moments in the past, within the present.
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Visit
We look forward to welcoming you at The Condensery - Somerset Regional Art Gallery. We are situated at 29 Factory Road, off the Brisbane Valley Highway, in the village of Toogoolawah, Queensland.
There is ample parking and free Wi-Fi is available across the building.
Admission is free.
Our opening hours are:
Monday to Friday 9AM to 5PM
Saturday to Sunday 10AM to 4PM
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Become Involved
Volunteer with Us
If you would like to become more involved, please join our volunteer program at The Condensery - Somerset Regional Art Gallery and broaden your creative horizons, learn about the building’s history and receive great rewards.
Benefits of the program include free Somerset tourism tours with exclusive behind the scenes opportunities, VIP invitations to special events and opening nights, and the chance to learn all things art.
Exhibit with Us
Local and regional artists are supported at The Condensery - Somerset Regional Art Gallery. If you would like to be considered for our upcoming program please contact us for an application form.
We engage local artists to facilitate workshops and programs too. If you would like to be considered for a workshop, please send us your CV and area of practice. You must hold public liability insurance and have some prior experience.
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Contact Us
For more information, bookings or enquiries please contact us on (07) 5423 1036 or thecondensery@somerset.qld.gov.au
Follow us on Facebook for regular updates about The Condensery - Somerset Regional Art Gallery.
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Events
Please contact us for more information on group bookings. Bookings are available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and weekends subject to availability.
School and preschool visits are also welcome, and gallery staff will work with the school to tailor an activity to suit the curriculum where possible.
