WEEKEND WRAP // gallery in the garden

Supporting small business is important to me and I like visiting galleries in different communities. I spent a peaceful Sunday morning by the Nepean River at the Penrith Regional Gallery in Emu Plains. Firstly enjoying a breakfast from the café on the grounds Café At Lewers, I then wandered through the spaces to view the current collection of art.

Originally this location was rural land in the early settlement of the Penrith area and was built in 1905. In the 1940's, sculptor Gerald and painter Margo bought the property and made it their home and studio. The Lewers couple were two leading artists in the development of modernism in Australian art and their home became known as a place of style and innovation. An additional house was built by architect Sydney Ancher and the couple continued to live and work on the property until their deaths. The Lewers daughters donated the entire site to the local council along with a substantial collection of art by their parents, as well as works from their contemporaries. The vision was to create a centre for the community to present and show an appreciation of art - it was officially established as a gallery in 1981.

This gallery provides a unique environment as it is situated amongst the beautiful heritage gardens with the original architecture of the historic homes. The addition of pavilion extensions and the café contribute to the artistic atmosphere and make it a lovely place to visit on the way to the Blue Mountains.