ART-LOVERS flooded the Art Gallery of Ballarat over the weekend for the opening of the Archibald Prize, with more than 100 patrons queued up at the doors for the opening on Friday.
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Numbers were consistently strong over the exhibition’s first weekend, with hundreds of visitors keen to glimpse the spectacular portrait artworks despite scorching heat and the lure of the AFL Grand Final.
So far, the portrait of Michael Caton, the People’s Choice and Packing Room Prize winner by Bruno Jean Grasswill, has been attracting the most attention.
Gallery marketing and public programs officer Peter Freund said organisers were “very, very happy” with the strong attendance, which he said was “certainly in line with our expectations”.
“It’s such as unknown with the Grand Final and other events happening,” he said.
Mr Freund said ticketing data was yet to be assessed, but said while the majority of patrons had so far been visitors from outside Ballarat, there were “plenty of locals too”.
“There is certainly comment that people are enjoying the space, particularly in comparison to the way the exhibition was set up in Sydney, where it just came from,” he said.
“There’s lots of space and you’re not jostling with people. It’s more comfortable and there’s more viewing space.”
Mr Freund also said organisers had planned a staggered ticketing system, to ensure the gallery wouldn’t be overwhelmed with visitors at any one time.
The exhibition has timed tickets, with entries taking place at 30-minute intervals.
“It’s to spread the load and avoid peaks, and push people throughout the day, otherwise everyone would come at morning – 11am or 11.30am,” Mr Freund said.
He explained the exhibition’s promotional campaign would continue over the next six weeks to ensure interest throughout its season – including in conversation with artist talks and evening concerts on Friday and Saturday nights.
“It’s been a lot of work, a lot of planning and planning the visitor experience from the railway station or however they get to Ballarat to finding the gallery and ensuring they’re having a good experience when they’re here, but also enjoying whatever else is happening around Ballarat,” Mr Freund said.
He said visitor surveys showed people were enjoying the Young Archies portraits posted up in business windows throughout Ballarat’s CBD.
Mr Freund also said many young people and children were enjoying the exhibition itself.
“It’s been very pleasing how many families we’ve had with children of a range of ages,” he said.
The next Archibald Prize event will be a free “in conversation” talk with artist Juan Ford, who painted Channelling WC Pigueni, on October 11, followed by a talk with artist Carla Fletcher, who painted Jenny Kee, on October 18.
The exhibition will continue until November 15.