This winter will mark a significant moment for Australian art and environmental conservation as the Wama Foundation prepares to open its doors on July 5, 2025, in Budja Budja/Halls Gap.
The sprawling 16-hectare precinct will house Australia’s first National Centre for Environmental Art, alongside the Gariwerd/Grampians Endemic Botanic Garden and Jallukar Native Grasslands, creating a unique space where art, nature, and conservation intersect.
The Centre will launch with End & Being, a major exhibition by acclaimed Western Australian artist Jacobus Capone. The work documents Capone’s physically demanding performance on Europe’s Bossons Glacier, confronting the urgent realities of climate change.
“Capone’s exhibition invites us to reflect on the shared realities of climate change,” says curator José Da Silva.
“By connecting glacial melting with the recent bushfires in Gariwerd/Grampians, the work underscores the fragility of our ecosystems and the need for global awareness.”
Opening weekend festivities will include artist workshops, talks, and DJ performances, alongside opportunities to explore the botanic garden, which safeguards over 500 plants—many endemic to the region.
Wama Foundation CEO Pippa Mott envisions the space as a catalyst for deeper environmental engagement: “We hope to foster a space where art inspires action, encouraging visitors to reflect on humanity’s relationship with nature.”
Located near Halls Gap, the Foundation will bolster regional tourism while supporting ecological recovery after devastating bushfires. Stage One opens this July, with future expansions including accessible trails and sculpture walks.
Wama Foundation opens July 5, 2025. For details, visit wamafoundation.org.au.
