Walls of the Mount Gambier Regional Airport will be lined with artwork as part of a new concept by Grant District Council.


The reimagined space has been aptly named The Hangar Gallery to house hanging artwork.


In a report to council, HR and Community manager Marianne Tucker said she has been working with a team of council staff to repurpose the space as an art gallery.


“We have been working on utilising a mostly unused section of the airport. We feel it would be the perfect space for an art gallery,” she said.


Ms Tucker met earlier this year with airport manager Nick Serle to investigate opportunities and brainstorm giving the gallery an official name.


“The expansive walls, together with newly added lighting and extended picture railing make this space ideal for showcasing artworks,” she said.


Among the names put forward were Skyline Gallery, Runway Gallery and Airport Gallery.


These were put forward for consideration at council’s September monthly meeting.


Two additional names were suggested by Cr Brad Mann, including ‘ngirri’ a Boandik translation for the word eagle, and The Hangar Gallery, with the latter unanimously accepted by elected members present at the meeting.


Unable to make their vote known due to being apologies were Crs Bruce Bain and Gavin Clarke.


Ms Tucker said an exhibition was held when the redeveloped airport was opened in 2021.


The first exhibition of The Hangar Gallery will be on display from November 2024 through to August 2025.


“In an exciting collaboration with the City of Mount Gambier, the first exhibition is being curated from the collection of the Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre,” Ms Tucker said.


Meanwhile, Mr Serle said one of the points raised in community discussions about the new Mount Gambier Regional Airport was how to make better use of the terminal.


“The gallery will give a fantastic opportunity for passengers, their families and friends to do something extra while at the terminal,” he said.


“This is all part of activating the whole Mount Gambier Regional Airport, and particularly the terminal building.”