Penrith Regional Gallery and Lewers Bequest
Penrith Regional Gallery and The Lewers Bequest is set on the western bank of the Nepean River at the foot of the Blue Mountains. The Gallery was established on the site of the former home of sculptor Gerald Lewers and painter Margo Lewers. Awarded Museum of the Year in 1982, the Gallery has grown to become a key part of the cultural landscape of Penrith and Western Sydney.
Western Sydney is the fastest-growing region of Australia, with a young population from many different cultural backgrounds. The Gallery presents a dynamic mix of exhibitions and other programs, offering the community a significant centre for art and culture. Programs are designed to reflect the cultural aspirations and lifestyles of people in our region. The Gallery frequently works in partnership with other organisations, companies and government agencies across Western Sydney, on both exhibitions and special projects.
Specifically, the mission of Penrith Regional Gallery and The Lewers Bequest is to develop and maintain a centre of excellence and diversity focussed on the visual arts, providing cultural and educational resources for the benefit of the community.
The Gallery site at Emu Plains was once a small rural holding on the banks of the Nepean River, part of the early settlement of the Penrith district. The original house on the site, now known as the Lewers Gallery, was built in around 1901.
In the 1940s, Margo and Gerald Lewers - two leading artists in the development of modernism in Australian art - bought the property and made it their home and studio as well as a gathering place for artists. In 1955, architect Sydney Ancher designed some alterations to the original house, and in 1961 he designed a second house on the site, known as Ancher House.
Interior decoration and detailing, including extensive mosaic work, was completed by Margo. The stunning landscaped grounds were designed by both Margo and Gerald to complement the buildings, their artwork, the environment and their lifestyle. The gardens have been lovingly maintained over the past twenty years, keeping their wonderful vision alive.
Following Gerald’s death in 1962, Margo continued to live and work at Emu Plains until she died in 1978. In 1980, the Lewers’ daughters bequeathed the site, buildings and gardens to Penrith City Council, together with a substantial collection of art including works by Gerald and Margo and their contemporaries. Their vision was to create a centre of excellence for the presentation and appreciation of art for the community.
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