Mildura Arts Centre — Attraction in Mildura

Mildura Arts Centre offers a variety of ways to learn about and engage with Mildura Arts Centre through Rio Vista Historic House, the extensive permanent collection as well as our special local and touring exhibition program.

The permanent collection referred to as one of Victoria’s best kept secrets, the foundation bequest of Senator RD Elliott and Mrs Hilda Elliott includes the largest single collection of paintings by Anglo-Irish artist Sir William Orpen. Visitors are astonished to find a pastel by Edgar Degas, Femme a la baignoire se coiffant, as well as works by Sir Frank Brangwyn and a number of important Australian artists.

Mildura Arts Centre has five gallery spaces showcasing a vibrant and engaging mix of temporary exhibitions drawn from the gallery's collection, together with work by contemporary local artists, visiting artists and touring exhibitions.

Rio Vista Historic House It was the Chaffey family who originally lived in Rio Vista before it was purchased for £18,000.00 and converted into an art gallery.

Back in 1944 a valuable art collection had been bequeathed to the Mildura City Council by Senator RD Elliott, owner of the Elliott Newspaper Group, The bequest was on the condition that a suitable place be found to house the collection. Several rooms in Rio Vista including the conservatory were converted for display purposes and many of the original surfaces were painted over. Conversion into the Mildura Art Gallery saved the house from probable demolition and subdivision of the surrounding grounds.

In more recent times the focus has been on exploring the history of the Chaffey family and to the restoration of Rio Vista to the splendour of its earlier years. Rio Vista Historic House is undoubtedly Mildura’s most important heritage building, visited by thousands of visitors, locals and school children each year.

A series of important contemporary art events primarily known as the Mildura Sculpture Triennials took place between 1961 and 1988.

Beginning in 1961 as the Mildura Prize for Sculpture, the Mildura Sculpture Triennials (as they were later known), was the first event to promote and encourage large scale contemporary sculpture, site-specific installations and performance art in Australia and was quite unique in the history of Australian Art.

The inheritance of these events is a significant number of substantial public sculptures in and around Mildura, including the Mildura Arts...

If you are looking for art, you won't find very much at the Mildura Arts Centre. There are exhibition spaces on the ground, first and second floors. When we visited a few years ago, the ground floor was closed. This time, here was some art on the ground floor. The installations on the first and second floors were not particularly great. You will most likely find better art displays at your local secondary school! I realise the exhibitions change from time to time but seriously? Is this the best you can offer? The art on the wall alongside the cafe was more inspiring. It was a few small Albert Namatjira prints (see photos). This is now the third time be have visited Mildura's 'art gallery'. The view from the cafe was quite pleasant (see photo). A nice spot for a quick bite. One of the staff, Silvana, was particularly friendly and helpful. We look forward to better (serious) art on our next visit. A large regional town like Mildura CAN and should do better. I have reviewed the Rio Vista House separately. It is well...

Hi, Just wanted to say what a wonderful experience My Sister and I had at the Drawing from the Collection with Filomena Coppola on Saturday 23rd of September. It was so informative and challenging in a great way, Very engaging. The group of people was so varied, but I'm sure each and everyone thoroughly enjoyed this activity... I truly loved that it was an adult session, as i always thought these type of activities were always for kids. Thank you all so much for the effort and time and planning this must have taken. A credit to your staff and their wonderful ideas and the visiting Artists for being so approachable and engaging us in their world of wonder and talent.

sorry for such a long review, the activity was just wonderous.

kind and warm regards

Deb...