Maitland Regional Art Gallery
EXHIBIT A
16 artistSteeped in history, the Federation Gothic
building housing Maitland Regional Art Gallery
(MRAG) in the lower Hunter Valley of NSW is an
awe-inspiring example of early 1900s architecture.
Officially opened in 1910, it was constructed to
house the Maitland Technical College, which it
continued to do until 1987. Technical education
experienced many changes during this life of the
building, and only two years later the building behind
the Gallery was added to provide more class space.
If you look closely at the brickwork of the twobuildings, it is clear that they were to be eventually
joined by a walkway.
The main building at the front of the site
which now houses the Gallery is not only vitally
important because of its role in technical education;
architecturally, it is one of the most significant
buildings in Maitland and, in fact, it has features
which are of great importance state-wide. Designed
by the then government architect, Colonel W. L.
Vernon, the building has a structural system which is
one of the earliest of its type in NSW.Images
Top: Façade of Maitland
Regional Ar t Gallery
designed by Walter
Liber ty Vernon. Image
cour tesy Clare Hodgins
Above: MRAG opening
winter 2015