History of the Gallery

During the 1950's Arthur and Yvonne Boyd and their family regularly visited Morwell and were a great influence in encouraging local artists and the newly formed Morwell Art Group. It was these local artists (with support from Eric Westbrook - NGV Director at the time; and local man Campbell Hughston - ultimately the founding Director of the LRG) who motivated the establishment of a regional gallery in Gippsland.

The Latrobe Regional Gallery was established as the Latrobe Valley Arts Centre by the Shire of Morwell and opened by Sir Henry Bolte in 1971. Since its inception, a collection of regional and national significance has been developed across five distinct areas, embracing works on paper, painting, ceramics, sculpture and glass. The glass collection is of particular importance and sets the LRG apart from other public galleries in Victoria. Significantly, the Latrobe Valley is the birthplace of Australian Studio Glass, with a number of Australia's most prominent contemporary glass artists having begun their career with formative art education at the region's Gippsland School of Art.

In the early 1990's, in recognition of the wealth of creative talent in Gippsland, the first national touring exhibition of work by contemporary artists by a regional gallery was undertaken by the Latrobe Valley Arts Centre. Touring to four states over two years, the Contemporary Gippsland Artist Exhibition established Gippsland as one of the most creatively vibrant areas for practising contemporary art.

With assistance from the Federal Government through Federal funding, the gallery underwent significant renovations from 2001 to 2003 and is now one of Victoria's premier regional galleries. The gallery is funded by Latrobe City Council and Arts Victoria, with additional sponsorship funds provided by local businesses and benefactors. 

Mandy Martin 'A.P.M, Rain, Speed and Steam,' 1989