A new arts and environmental precinct called Where Art Meets Nature (WAMA) has opened in Halls Gap, Victoria, on a 16-hectare property in the Grampians. The site features Australia's first National Centre for Environmental Art (NCEA), designed by MvS Architects and Taut Architects, along with a botanic garden, native grasslands, wetlands, and outdoor artworks. The inaugural exhibition is by Western Australian artist Jacobus Capone, focusing on humanity's engagement with nature through multidisciplinary works.
This opening matters because it creates a dedicated space that explicitly merges visual art with environmental awareness, a growing trend in the art world. By establishing the first National Centre for Environmental Art in Australia, WAMA sets a precedent for how cultural institutions can address ecological themes, potentially influencing future programming and funding priorities. The precinct also boosts regional tourism in Victoria, offering a new destination that combines art, architecture, and nature.