Drawing the community together through enrichment, encouragement & inspiration

Grafton Regional Gallery is supported by the Friends of the Gallery,​ an active community & ​volunteer organisation​.

The founding collection of the Gallery was developed by the Jacaranda Art Society through the Jacaranda Art Prize 1961 – 1987 and the society’s activities. It holds a strong collection of significant artists and the movements of mid to late twentieth century Australian art.

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The Friends of Grafton Gallery (FoGG) was established in November 1991, growing out of the original iteration of the Jacaranda Art Society (JAS).

Formed in 1961, JAS aimed to bring contemporary art to the Clarence Valley.

In 1985, with the support of the former Grafton City Council, the JAS purchased Prentice House on Fitzroy Street, Grafton. Originally commissioned by Dr. James Houison as a residence and surgery, this Federation-style house is one of Grafton’s most stunning and prestigious buildings. Thanks to a grant from the NSW Bicentennial Council, the house was restored and transformed into a Regional Gallery, complete with necessary environmental and security controls.

Since 1988, the Friends of Grafton Gallery have been the proud sponsors of the JADA, raising funds towards the first prize for each biennial award.

The Grafton Regional Gallery officially opened its doors in March 1988. At the opening, the JAS presented their collection, accumulated through the Jacaranda Art Prize (1961-1987), which became the gallery’s founding collection.

In 1988 the Jacaranda Art Exhibition Prize was presented for the first time with the support of the Jacaranda Art Society, as a specialised acquisitive Australian drawing prize. The inaugural Director of the Gallery, Julian Faigan, decided to change the dynamics of the Jacaranda Society Art Prize from a various medium, the open prize with four sections, to a specific award for drawing. This decision recognised the need for regional galleries to specialise in their collections to allow for the development of identity, to reflect regional and historical differences, to encourage diversity and to reduce competition with other public institutions.

In 1994 the Jacaranda Art Society exhibition became the Jacaranda Acquisitive Drawing Award (JADA) and formed into the structure it still holds today; a biennial award with entries selected by a panel of art professionals for exhibition, from which the judge selects the acquisitive first prize.

The Friends of the Gallery became the sole sponsors of a $5,000 first prize in 1998, with the gallery JADA fund enabling $5,000 of further acquisitions for each award. Over the years the prize value has increased to its current value of $35,000 for the winner, with a further $10,000 allocated to acquire works as recommended by the judge.

By 2008, JADA had become the gallery’s flagship event, offering a $30,000 prize and touring galleries along Australia’s eastern seaboard.

The JADA has enabled the Gallery to gather a unique and impressive collection of contemporary Australian drawings. Since the establishment of the drawing acquisition prize in 1988, there have been well over one hundred works acquired into the collection from leading, established, and emerging Australian artists.

JADA offers artists a fantastic opportunity to delve into the medium of drawing, while the gallery continues to enhance its impressive collection of contemporary Australian drawings.

The Friends of the Gallery hosts an annual program of events and actively supports the gallery’s development.

With their backing, the JADA remains the Grafton Regional Gallery’s premier art prize.

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What’s the best way of showing your support for the JADA?

The best way to show your support is by becoming a Friend for the new financial year.

FIND OUT MORE HERE.

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