WAMA FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL OPENING DATE FOR AUSTRALIA’S FIRST NATIONAL CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ART

Endemic Botanic Garden

This winter, Gariwerd/Grampians will officially become home to a new cultural destination and environmental attraction, with the Wama Foundation announcing it will open at noon on Saturday, July 5, 2025.

Across a sprawling 16-hectare site, the Wama Foundation is a unique art and environment precinct, which includes the National Centre for Environmental Art — Australia's first gallery exclusively dedicated to showcasing and reflecting on artistic narratives concerning the natural world —the Gariwerd/Grampians Endemic Botanic Garden, Jallukar Native Grasslands and new artwork commissions across its grounds.

The Centre will launch with its inaugural exhibition End & Beingby celebrated Western Australian artist Jacobus Capone.

End & Being represents Capone’s most ambitious undertaking to date, directly confronting the escalating global crisis of planetary warming. The exhibition documents a physically demanding performance undertaken both above and beneath the Bossons Glacier — Europe’s most prominent and dynamic icefall, situated on the Mont Blanc massif in France.

The opening Weekend at Wama will feature a range of activities for all ages across three days, including collage workshops run by artist Minna Gilligan (Sunday and Monday), invertebrate ID workshops by Project Platypus (Sunday) and a series of talks including End & Being exhibition curator José Da Silva, National Centre for Environmental Art architect Jan van Shaik and Wadawurrung artist Dr Deanne Gilson (Saturday).

Rock Milky Way

Along with food and drinks available from the Wama Foundation cafe, there will be food trucks on site and for those lingering longer into the afternoon, music by DJs Lucreccia Quintanilla and MzRizk who will be playing across the weekend, including original tracks that sample field recordings.

End & Being curator José Da Silva (Director, UNSW Galleries) highlights the profound resonance of Capone's work with contemporary environmental challenges, particularly as the exhibition coincides with the UN’s declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.

“Capone’s exhibition invites us to reflect on the shared realities of climate change,” he says.

“Although they are geographically distant, the melting of glacial ice in Europe, showcased in the exhibition, and the devastating bushfires that recently affected large parts of Gariwerd/Grampians National Park, serve as stark symbols of environmental fragility and transformation. By connecting these narratives, the exhibition encourages us to consider the interconnectedness of ecological systems, the far-reaching consequences of a warming planet, and the urgent need for both local and global responses to environmental crises.”

Da Silva further hopes audiences will view End & Being as an opportunity to reflect on the emotional and spiritual dimensions of environmental loss and our entangled relationship with fragile natural systems.

“Jacobus has described this project as a form of accountability. He understands his role as an artist, witness, and participant in the climate crisis and, by his example, invites us to see ourselves within his work,” Da Silva says.

“By placing his body in direct conversation with the environment, he encourages us to reflect on how we might respond — physically, psychologically, and spiritually — to a time of ecological collapse.”

Wama Foundation CEO Pippa Mott shares her vision for the precinct and its impact.

Gariwerd Kate Proctor

“Wama Foundation, nestled at the foothills of Gariwerd/Grampians National Park, will offer visitors an unparalleled opportunity to explore and deepen their understanding of connections between artistic expression and the natural world," she says.

“This unique destination will invite contemplation on the intricate relationship between humanity and the environment. We hope to achieve a space where art inspires action, fostering a deeper appreciation for our planet and encouraging meaningful dialogue about its future.”

The Gariwerd/Grampians Endemic Botanic Garden features more than 500 plants and almost 60 species, with more than half only found in the surrounding region.

The Gariwerd/Grampians region is one of the biodiversity hotspots of Victoria, containing over 30% of Victoria’s native flora.

Home to rare, endangered, and critically endangered species , the garden plays a vital role in conserving the region’s unique biodiversity. As climate change drives increasingly intense and frequent bushfires, the need to establish insurance populations of native flora has become urgent. The Grampians/Gariwerd Endemic Botanic Garden offers a living ex-situ collection that helps safeguard these vulnerable plants for future generations.

Endemic flora include the endangered Gariwerd Grevillea Grevillea gariwerdensis, which was recently rediscovered on the edge of Budja Budja/Halls Gap, and the rare Grevillea microstedia, which was collected from Mount Cassell before fire swept through the region in February 2024.

The Gariwerd/Grampians region is recovering from devastating bushfires across two consecutive summers, with more than 135,000 hectares of national park and farmland impacted.

The Wama Foundation will play a role in the region’s economic recovery as a tourist destination and drawcard, as well in the preservation and restoration of endemic flora that can be used to revegetate or restore species to their natural environment.

Located less than 10 minutes from Budja Budja/Halls Gap, the Wama Foundation will complement the existing array of quality tourism attractions and events in the region with its offering of exhibitions and experiences that blend art, science and nature.

National Centre for Environmental Art

For its initial launch, Wama Foundation will invite audiences to enjoy the outcome of its Stage One development, which encompasses the National Centre for Environmental Art, Gariwerd/Grampians Endemic Botanic Garden, Jallukar Native Grasslands and new artwork commissions across its grounds. Stage Two will further enhance the visitor experience with accessible boardwalks, engaging nature play areas, and a sculpture trail to be unveiled in the future.

The Wama Foundation project was made possible through the generous support of the Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund, with additional support for End & Being provided by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.   

Wama Foundation and The National Centre for Environmental Art

4000 Ararat-Halls Gap Road, Halls Gap, Victoria, Australia wamafoundation.com.au
Opening Saturday, 5 July 2025, at noon
Hours: Friday–Monday, 10am–5pm. Closed Tuesday–Thursday, Christmas Day and on catastrophic fire days.
Tickets: Adults: $18. Locals, concession, youth (12-17 year olds): $12