Novocastrians are getting their first look at the significantly expanded Newcastle Art Gallery as scaffolding begins to come down around the landmark site.

New street frontages along Darby, Queen and Laman streets are now visible, revealing ground-level glass walls and a contemporary design that complements the building’s iconic Brutalist architecture.

Soon, the Darby Street windows will also showcase a new public artwork by Newcastle-based artist Maggie Hensel-Brown, set for installation next month.

Newcastle Art Gallery Director Lauretta Morton OAM said the unveiling marked a milestone in the once-in-a-generation transformation of the space.

“Throughout the construction period, we’ve been able to share glimpses of the work happening inside the gallery, but the removal of the scaffolding allows our community to better appreciate the significance of the building’s physical expansion,” Ms Morton said.

“By extending the building’s footprint east along Darby Street and Queen Street, we’re able to more than double the size of the Gallery, which will provide greater access to one of Australia’s most significant public collections of art and a wider range of prominent local, national and international exhibitions.

“To celebrate the new spaces, we’re commissioning and acquiring several new works of art for specific sites within the expanded Gallery.

“This includes working with local artist Maggie Hensel-Brown, whose intricate needle lace work, Process, progress, repeat, will be photographically reproduced and installed during June across the windows in the Gallery’s Learning Studio, which fronts onto Darby Street.

“It’s fantastic to see all elements of the construction progress, ahead of the commissioning of the gallery spaces and our planned reopening in September.”

With the scaffolding and hoarding now removed, work is also underway to upgrade the public spaces around the Art Gallery, including new footpaths, seating, lighting, landscaping, and critical stormwater infrastructure.

The expansion is being delivered with support from $5 million from the Australian Government under the Regional Recovery Partnerships, $5 million from the NSW Government under the Regional Recovery Package, and $12 million from the Newcastle Art Gallery Foundation, made possible through the Valerie and John Ryan bequest, the Margaret Olley Trust, and years of community fundraising. An additional $1 million is currently being sought through the Foundation’s public campaign.

For updates, visit City of Newcastle’s project page.

IMAGE | New facades along Laman and Darby streets have been revealed as the scaffolding starts to come down around the expanded Newcastle Art Gallery.