The Shire Art Collection has been achieved as a direct result of ongoing acquisitive art competitions. The Collection began in 1958 with the staging of the inaugural Muswellbrook Open Art Prize. The winning work “Death of Voss” by Tom Gleghorn became the linchpin of what has grown to become an excellent collection of contemporary Australian Painting and Works on Paper from the second half of the 20th century. The construction of a purpose built  Art Gallery above the Town Hall provided a permanent home for the growing Collection, in 1976.

The addition of regular acquisitive awards in 1987 for Ceramics, which was established to encourage local artists in a section of the arts that had always been popular in the area, and Photography, growing out of a desire for a National  Award to be established at the Gallery, has added to the prestige of the Collection.

Initially held annually, the Open Art Prize continued in an unbroken line until 1977, and then again from 1979 until 1989. With increased sponsorship for prize money it was decided to hold the awards biennially starting in 1991. This continued until 1998, when the Gallery was closed to undertake the refurbishment which resulted in the muswellbrook regional arts centre as it is today. The Open Art Prize, which now incorporated the Ceramic Award into its time slot, began again in 2000. The Photographic Award, however still held its position in the annual program. At each hosting of the Open Art Prizes, entries have been received from artists all over Australia, highlighting the National flavour of the competition.

From its inception, the art awards have always had a strong community base in that they have been largely run by willing volunteers through various committees and clubs. Special mention must be made of the Pot House (ceramics) and the Muswellbrook and District Camera Club (photography). Many of the artists in the Collection are familiar names in the Australian Art world. Such key names as Fred Williams, Richard Larter, Eric Smith, Michael Kitching, Tom Gleghorn and the list goes on. The Hunter Region is also well represented with a number of local artists being successful in winning some of the awards.

Like the award winning artists, the list of invited adjudicators include some of the leading figures in the Australian art world. Drawn from a wide field of art directors, critics, curators, writers and established artists , the list includes:- Gil Docking, Hal Missingham, James Gleeson, Sali Herman, Lloyd Rees, Robert Hughes, Daniel Thomas, Desiderius Orban, David Thomas, Laurie Thomas, Brian Finemore, Guy Warren, Peter Laverty, John Olsen, William Bowmore, Barry Pearce, Bernice Murphy, Bill Wright, Joe Eisenburg, Tony Bond, Roger Butler, Bruce Adams, Deborah Edwards, Peter O’Neill, Edmund Capon, Euan MacDonald, Michael Hedger, Peter Timms, Helen Ennis, Gerritt Fokkema, David Moore, Robert McFarlane, Josef Lebovic and Greg Weight. Their expertise and reputation certainly adds credibility to the choice of the winning artworks. 

The reputation of the Shire Art Collection is such that request for loans to other regional galleries for special theme or touring exhibitions is regularly being sought. One of the works in this exhibition is currently touring regional New South Wales in a major showcase exhibition.

Throughout its history there has been an ongoing commitment by local businesses and industry which has enabled the prizes to be held ensuring the development of the collection for the education and enjoyment of local residents and tourists.

Selected works from the Shire Collection are displayed periodically as part of the annual exhibition program.

Angus Nivison Menace 2002
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
Winner of the 2002 Muswellbrook
Open Art Prize
(The Muswellbrook Shire Collection)

For over 40 years, Max Watters has been collecting other artist’s work.  His taste is eclectic and embraces painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, glass through to fibre  art.

Purchased through the sale of his own work, the Max Watters Collection has grown to over 300 works.  It is regarded as one of the most significant collections of its type in rural Australia, and showcases some of the most influential names in Australian contemporary art: John Perceval, Grace Cossington-Smith, Ken Whisson, Charles Blackman, Danila Vassilieff, Euan Mcleod, Immants Tillers and Tony Tuckson to name but a few.  These works complement the collection’s numerous examples of other prominent artists at their peak.

In March 2004 Max Watters signed over his collection to the Shire of Muswellbrook so that residents and vsitiors alike could enjoy in perpetuity his vision.  It is, indeed, a generous bequest.  This gift has the primary intention to provide art education for generations to come, to inspire visual awareness and curiosity, and promote culture as a tool for tourism in the area.

Selected works from the Max Watters Collection are displayed year round at the Arts Centre.

Max Watters House at No 5 1962
oil on hardboard
(Max Watters Collection)

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