Super Second CITIES

31 BENDIGO, VIC

The Bendigo Art Gallery sits at the heart of this Victorian city, regularly presenting such dynamic exhibitions as Marimekko: Design Icon 1951 – 2018, which runs until 11 June.We caught up with the gallery’s director, Karen Quinlan.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE BENDIGO’S CREATIVE SCENE TODAY? Bendigo has developed and grown over the last few decades and is a thriving creative city, with a rich cafe, dining and fashion culture and a full calendar of events and festivals. All of this blends with the rich gold-rush heritage buildings to add much to the overall feel of the city.

AND WHAT ROLE DOES THE BENDIGO ART GALLERY PLAY IN THAT? We are one of the largest regional galleries in Australia, and the support we have from the local community and the City of Greater Bendigo means we have been able to raise the bar by bringing in international exhibitions, many exclusive to the city. We have also been able to build on our extensive 19th-century European art and Australian holding with an important and growing