A New Era for Environmental Art Blooms in the Grampians

National Centre for Environmental Art

Australia’s First National Centre for Environmental Art Opens at Wama Foundation

After more than a decade in the making, a landmark moment for Australian culture and conservation arrives this weekend with the grand opening of the Wama Foundation and its National Centre for Environmental Art. Located in the spectacular Gariwerd/Grampians region of Victoria, this visionary cultural precinct promises a one-of-a-kind fusion of art, ecology, and Indigenous connection to Country.

Opening its doors on Saturday, July 5, 2025, the centre sits on 16 hectares of thoughtfully restored land, less than ten minutes from Budja Budja/Halls Gap. Designed to inspire both creative and ecological discovery, the Wama Foundation marks a transformative addition to Australia’s cultural and environmental landscape.

End & Being: A Powerful Opening Statement

The centre’s inaugural exhibition, End & Being by Western Australian artist Jacobus Capone, launches the space with a profound meditation on environmental fragility. Featuring a recorded performance atop Europe's melting Bossons Glacier, the work offers a moving reflection on climate change. Its resonance is amplified by the recent bushfires that swept through Gariwerd/Grampians National Park, setting the tone for a program rooted in urgent environmental dialogue.

A Weekend of Culture, Ceremony and Community

To celebrate the opening, Wama is hosting a dynamic weekend of activities from July 5 to 7. The public is invited to attend a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at 11am on Saturday, led by Traditional Owners representing Eastern Maar, Barengi Gadjin, and Gunditj Mirring Aboriginal Corporations.

National Centre for Environmental Art

Across the weekend, visitors can enjoy talks from the minds behind the centre, including architect Jan van Schaik, curator José Da Silva, and artist Dr Deanne Gilson. Creative hands-on experiences include collage workshops with artist Minna Gilligan and invertebrate ID sessions with Project Platypus.

The weekend also brings a festival-style atmosphere with live DJ sets from Lucreccia Quintanilla and MzRizk, local food trucks, a café, and tastings from regional wineries like Best's Wines and Fallen Giants.

A Living Garden Anchored in Biodiversity

The adjoining Gariwerd/Grampians Endemic Botanic Garden is home to over 500 plants, including nearly 60 rare and endemic species. Horticultural tours throughout the opening weekend will offer insight into the region’s rich biodiversity and the garden’s role in protecting it for future generations.

Regeneration Through Culture and Tourism

Beyond its cultural mission, the Wama Foundation represents a powerful step in regional regeneration. Positioned to boost tourism and support local economies affected by recent natural disasters, the centre is already attracting national attention as a must-visit destination for art lovers, eco-tourists, and families alike.

Event Details

What: Weekend at Wama – Opening of the Wama Foundation and National Centre for Environmental Art
When: Saturday 5 July 2025, noon–6pm (Smoking Ceremony at 11am); Sunday 6 and Monday 7 July, 10am–5pm
Where: 4000 Ararat-Halls Gap Road, Halls Gap, Victoria
Tickets: Adults $18 | Locals, concession, youth (12–17) $12 | Children under 12 free
Info: wamafoundation.com.au

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