‘Amazing’: NSW Arts Minister blown away by Guru and Yarrila Place

NSW Arts Minister John Graham was in Coffs Harbour for the Australian Children’s Content Summit but made a detour to Yarrila Place – and found himself awestruck. 

The Minister was given a special guided tour of the new spring exhibitions at Yarrila Arts and Museum (YAM) as well as the Harry Bailey Memorial Library. 

“Beautiful, amazing”, Mr Graham said as he came eye to eye with the sage-like Modern Guru, one of three new exhibitions at the gallery. 

The Special Minister for State, and Minister for Roads, Music and the Night-time Economy, and Jobs and Tourism duly took out his mobile phone to snap the Guru, who in turn provided Mr Graham with a personalised message. 

“We were stoked to have the Minister tour the spring shows. This is the first time Modern Guru has been seen in Australia, while a fourth exhibition, Disco by Alun Rhys Jones, complements the fresh installations,” City of Coffs Harbour City Planning and Communities Director Chris Chapman said. 

After opening the Children’s Content Summit, Mr Graham found particular praise for the City of Coffs Harbour’s Yarrila Place which has fast become a champion for community creativity. 

“It’s a leading regional exhibition space. Now I can see why it’s so popular,” he said. 

“This is cutting-edge art in Coffs Harbour in an absolutely beautiful space.” 

Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness, Electric Dreams and Serendipia are on show at YAM through to November 10 and entry is free to these works which play with light. 

Mr Graham, a self-professed fan of public libraries, was also taken aback after a walk-through of the Harry Bailey Memorial Library. 

“This is an amazing set-up,” he said as he edged toward the ‘library for teenagers’ on Level 1 where youngsters dabble with e-gaming, 3D printing, laser cutting and a digital recording studio. 

Mr Graham also toured the permanent museum exhibition Yaamanga Around here, which traces Coffs Harbour’s colourful past. 

“It’s a great balance with history and social tradition,” he said. 

The community is invited to a Spring Family Fun Day on 7 September which will herald the change of season and showcase a raft of free activities at Yarrila Place.  

An event highlight will be the launch of a seed library at Harry Bailey Memorial Library.  

Photo: NSW Arts Minister John Graham takes a photo of Modern Guru.