New name for fine collection

THE description "fine" has been dropped from the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery because it is considered "lost".Art Gallery of Ballarat is the new name given to the 125-year-old gallery, to represent its growing collection of all art forms.The change was announced at the gallery's Free Art for All weekend celebrations, which marked a free entry venue and new logo.Art Gallery of Ballarat director Gordon Morrison said the expression "fine art" was given last century.He said people then considered the gallery's collection as refined art, but that was not what the gallery was about."We have an extensive collection that goes up until 2008. It's not just about traditional pieces, but there are still wonderful traditional pieces in here," Mr Morrison said.The gallery had about four different names in its history, including the Ballarat Fine Art Public Gallery, Queen Victoria Memorial Art Gallery, Ballarat Art Gallery and City of Ballarat Fine Art Gallery.Ballarat Fine Art Gallery Association president Sari Baird said "fine art" was understated in the gallery's name and it did not represent the gallery's collection."You will see furniture, books, the Eureka flag, glassware and metal works. We hope when people come here they expect to see art in all forms," Ms Baird said.The gallery's free entry joins other galleries around Victoria who have benefited from dumping their entrance fees, with the National Gallery of Victoria and galleries in Bendigo, Geelong and Warrnambool seeing considerably more visitors than when people were charged to enter.City of Ballarat city attractions manager Ron Egeberg believed the gallery's free entry would attract more people.He said the most important aspect was for the community to appreciate it was their gallery.The money previously raised by the entrance fee will now be made through improvements to the gallery shop, high-profile exhibitions and donation and sponsorship programs.The Art Gallery of Ballarat will have at least two major exhibitions a year.