The Claude Hotchin Bequest

About

In the late 1940s, the West Australian philanthropist, Sir Claude Hotchin donated significant artworks to towns across regional Western Australia. His aim was to bring art to the people of the South West Region and to encourage local artists.

In 1948, the then Town of Bunbury received the first of 22 works donated by Sir Claude Hotchin. This donation became the start of the Bunbury Art Collection and a committee was established to manage the collection. From 1948 until the early 1950s, the Society of Artists managed and acquired works for the collection, until the Collection Committee was established under the Local Government Act. From then until they disbanded in 2009, the Society of Artists had been represented on the Committee.

In 1979, the City purchased the old Convent of Mercy to permanently house and exhibit the collection and to provide the community with an ‘A’ class gallery that became the Bunbury Regional Art Galleries.  

In 2008, the City of Bunbury Art Collection Committee accepted a generous gift of 21 artworks donated by Alcoa Australia. Many of Australia’s most prominent artists are represented in the Alcoa gift. From those first 22 works donated in 1948, the collection has grown to over nine hundred pieces.

Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to view this historic collection.

The gallery is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Entry is always free.