Artist Shari Nye starts petition for art gallery at historic Cannon Hill in Warrnambool

Whether an art gallery should be built at Warrnambool’s historic Cannon Hill has prompted the mayor to urge people not to believe “mistruths”.

Artist Shari Nye recently started a petition in favour of a Cannon Hill art gallery which has received over 400 signatures. Picture: Supplied

A Warrnambool artist is continuing to fight for an art gallery to be installed at a famous war memorial lookout.

Warrnambool City Council voted favourably for a proposal to shift the art gallery currently on Liebig and Timor Sts to Cannon Hill last year.

However, the move upset many community members, as Cannon Hill is known for its views and they believed a new art gallery at the site would “take it all away”.

A petition called “Hands off Cannon Hill” was then created which received over 5000 signatures.

The Cannon Hill art gallery proposal was briefly discussed at a council meeting on Monday night when Jeffrey Greg asked the council to create a feasibility study and engagement plan before making a decision.

Council’s chief executive Andrew Mason told the meeting no decision had yet been made.

“We’re still in a very preliminary phase,” Mr Mason said.

Mayor Debbie Arnott said the art gallery discussion had turned into “quite a saga”.

“It’s a very, very early stage — it is only an investigation. That’s it. There has been no decision made,” Cr Arnott said.

“I would strongly urge the public to allow the process to evolve — please don’t buy into innuendo and mistruth — there has been no decision at this stage,” she said, concluding the discussion.

It comes weeks after Warrnambool School of Art artist Shari Nye started a new petition called "Support Art Gallery on Cannon Hill" which received over 500 signatures, with a goal of 1000.

Ms Nye, who has been an artist for 18 years, said a larger gallery on Cannon Hill would be a “major cultural and educational asset” to Warrnambool.

Cannon Hill. Picture: Jack Colantuono

“It would boast gallery space for large travelling exhibitions, larger display of our local collection, cafe and function rooms, with overall design that respects our Maar Nation and Indigenous communities,” Ms Nye said.

“There are many artists here in Warrnambool and the surrounding areas, many who exhibit in different cities and overseas. I myself am heading to Sydney in May to exhibit at The Other Art Fair.

“The revenue and jobs this would generate will enhance our economy and create a vibrant precinct for the next generations moving forward. Bendigo art Gallery is a prime example of people travelling there to see a great exhibition in a regional town. We have the added bonus of beautiful beaches and walking tracks.”

Ms Nye was shocked when she discovered the petition had over 300 signatures within the first 36 hours.

“I have had lots of messages and emails congratulating me on speaking out as scary as that is. Most people are respectful of different views here,” she said.

Although Ms Nye is pushing for the new art gallery at Cannon Hill, she understands why some people do not support the decision.

“Currently it is used as a car park with a view, which I understand locals are attached to” Ms Nye said.

“There are a lot of bumper stickers on cars in town and signs saying ‘Hands Off Cannon Hill’ — and I know a lot of people here who disagree with those signs and so I wanted to promote another view,” she said.

Ms Nye also said the Fletcher Jones family invested $20,000 to support the business case for the art gallery, expected to be released in the near future.

“I hope that people will at least look at the business case put forward with an open mind thinking about the generations to come,” she said.

Ms Nye believes an art gallery on Cannon Hill would draw in more visitors from across the state.

“I know that people travel to see a great exhibition. State galleries attract visitors nationally. Most cities have a great gallery,” she said.

“If you are able to offer an exhibition of interest in a regional city, people will travel. A gallery here on Cannon Hill would also offer a stunning location with ocean views,” she said.

Council is yet to present the business case detailing the pros and cons of the venture ahead of a final decision being made.

“A development like this that links city to the ocean, that is sensitive to the environment, and showcases our unique indigenous cultures, can’t be a bad thing,” Ms Nye said.

“We are now presented with the rare opportunity for a major public facility to powerfully connect the city with the ocean it sits beside. This is a legacy worth leaving.

“This is an opportunity to have your say whether you are a local or a visitor to our beautiful city and I encourage people to speak up.”