Art lovers are being invited to celebrate two groundbreaking commissions that are creating a more accessible and inclusive Newcastle Art Gallery for thousands of visitors.
A panel talk and Auslan-interpreted tour on Saturday will highlight the development of the Gallery’s first access-focused digital guide, Nancy, and provide insights into the world-leading sculptural solution to the Gallery’s original floating staircases.
Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said the commissions were having a significant impact on how people are interacting with the reimagined Gallery space.
Artist Fayen d’Evie engaging with a tactile interpretation of a work of art by Brian Robinson which forms part of her sculpture, ( reflecting air ) “…Touch enabled her to discern minute details… which often pass unnoticed…”, 2025. Design and fabrication: Feather Edge. Newcastle Art Gallery, Australia, commissioned with assistance from the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, and proudly funded by the NSW Government 2025. © the artist. Photo: Roni Bintang
“The expansion of the Newcastle Art Gallery provided the ideal opportunity to ensure access and inclusion were at the heart of how our community can experience our reimagined facility,” Ms Morton said.
“From using an artistic and access-led solution to the physical challenge created by the space under the staircases for visitors who are blind or have low vision, to developing our first digital guide, which has already been accessed by more than 8,000 visitors, we are committed to collaborating with community members with lived experience to deliver better outcomes for everybody.”
Saturday’s event will feature internationally acclaimed artist Fayen d’Evie and Central Coast-based Auslan trainer and interpreter Thomas Doe, who will give visitors a chance to learn more about how access-led solutions are being embedded permanently in the new Gallery.
Digital guide Nancy takes visitors on a 24-stop tour around the ground floor collection exhibition with audio, Auslan-interpreted video and written descriptions, which can be accessed using a visitor’s personal device via the Newcastle Art Gallery website or QR codes throughout the space.
The guide was developed using a ‘by community, for community’ model, with contributions and expertise from local d/Deaf consultants and community members, Auslan interpreters, artists, accessibility advocates and First Nations consultants.
It was named in recognition of Nancy Tapp, a much-loved volunteer of 36 years at Newcastle Art Gallery, to celebrate the role that Gallery guides play in shaping the unique experience of every visitor.
Thomas Doe said being involved with Newcastle Art Gallery to develop Nancy was a meaningful experience.
“The Art Gallery team approach the project with open minds and a genuine commitment to inclusion,” Mr Doe said.
“Providing Auslan access means d/Deaf and hard of hearing people can do more than just view the artwork – they can connect with the stories, understand the artist’s intention, and fully experience the exhibition.”
As well as contributing to the development of Nancy, Fayen D’Evie was commissioned to create the architectural-scale sculptures that enable visitors to move safely around the two floating staircases on the ground level of the original 1977-built Gallery, which no longer adhere to modern building code standards for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Tactile versions of key works of art and braille incorporated into the sculptures also allow people to engage through touch with the stories of the Gallery, which d’Evie said was important for her when developing the sculptures.
“I wanted these sculptures to be invitations not barriers, and architectural prompts for conversation between visitors, sighted and blind alike,” d’Evie said.
“They honour the original staircase structure, while creating a tactile veil around it.”
Fayen d’Evie’s sculpture was supported by a $50,000 grant from Creative Australia and a $50,000 grant from the NSW Government Arts and Culture Infrastructure Grants program, while Nancy was supported by City of Newcastle and a $10,000 Museums & Galleries of NSW grant.
Co-chair of City of Newcastle’s Access Inclusion Standing Committee, Councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk, said designing spaces with accessibility as priority means better outcomes for everyone.
“Art should always be for everyone, and the Newcastle Art Gallery team should be commended for their work to ensure one of our city’s key cultural landmarks can be better enjoyed by all,” Cr Adamczyk said.
“Making those improvements is a key outcome from our Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) which is up for renewal in 2027.
“It’s currently undergoing early engagement, and I encourage the community to get involved and share their experiences with us to make sure we continue building a Newcastle that works better for everybody.”
Community members can find out more and make a submission on the DIAP via the Have Your Say page on City of Newcastle’s website, before Monday 15 June.
Saturday’s Intersensorial Conversations event starts from 11am, with more information and limited bookings still available on the Newcastle Art Gallery website.
