Paul Thomas

Huon Art Exhibitions Group Inc (HAEG) is a community art group based in Cygnet which opened a small gallery space at the back of the Cygnet Town Hall 21 years ago.

HAEG was formed to facilitate art exhibitions and competitions. It aimed to cultivate artistic and cultural life in southern Tasmania’s rural areas and to foster young and emerging artists. HAEG organises events to give local artists of all abilities a venue to show their work and an opportunity to meet and network with other artists in the region. 

HAEG members have exhibited their work at  the small Lovett Gallery behind the Town Hall in Cygnet each weekend. Their major annual event is the Huon Art Awards and exhibition in the Cygnet Town Hall.

In 2023 the Huon Art Awards celebrated its 21st anniversary.  It was held in March and provided over $18,000 in prizes, received 300 entries and wecomed over 2,000 visitors from all around Tasmnaia and mainland Australia. 

HAEG also hosts individual exhibitions at the gallery throughout the year.  

The artists and members volunteer their time to run the gallery. 

For many years HAEG has dreamt of finding premises in the Cygnet's Main Street, to be visible to more passing traffic and to expand sales opportunities and member engagement. However, the rental market and finding suitable premises always made this elusive. 

We have now found a suitable location and signed a long-term lease, committing ourselves to the prospect of significant startup and ongoing costs. We hope that by opening a minimum of 5 days per week instead of 2, we will increase revenue sufficiently to make the undertaking viable.  In the mean time there are significant start up costs. This fundraiser aims to ensure we keep our heads above water through this exciting transition to the new gallery. Instead of Lovett Gallery, we will now operate as the Cygnet Gallery

Here is our new logo and the signage will support it. We are working to fit out the new community gallery space  and acquiring all the necessay items for the space to operate efficiently. Please donate to help us to acquire these items. We will open for business on Wednesday 7 June  - and will open 10am-4pm Wed to Sunday. Please be amongst our first visitors.

Art Rewards may be collected from Cygnet Gallery, 9a Mary St, Cygnet from 1 July, otherwise by arrangement with Paul Thomas, <[email protected]> Small items will be posted.

Funds raised will contribute to signage, furniture, heating, lighting...

Building signage - $1000

Reception Desk - $1000

Heating Heat Pump - $1500

Street Signage (Sculpture) - $3000

Art  Hanging Tracks - $500

Lighting - $1000

Computer - $1000

Brochures/advertising - $1000

Insurance - $500

Painting and misc prep work - $500

Blinds - $800

Administrative - registrations etc - $500

Any additional funds raised will be used to pay for rent, power, phone and other operating expenses during the first six months of operation until we are comfortably established with a sustainable revenue stream.