Penrith Regional Gallery, Home of The Lewers Bequest

About the Gallery

Penrith Regional Gallery, Home of The Lewers Bequest is set on the western bank of the Nepean River at the foot of the Blue Mountains in Emu Plains.

The Gallery site, the former home of sculptor Gerald Lewers and painter, Margo Lewers and family was gifted to the people of Penrith in 1980 by the artists’ daughters. The Bequest included a collection of Australian modernist artworks, the Heritage Garden designed by Margo, and Ancher House named after renown Australian modernist architect, Sydney Ancher. He designed the house with Margo in the early 1960s. Also part of the gift is Lewers House which was the Lewers family home built c1900. The houses are now exhibition spaces along with the main gallery built in 1981.

The Gallery remains true to its origins as a place of creativity and welcome.

Collection Strengths

Following the original Lewers Bequest, the Collection has grown through the generosity of many individuals who donate either artworks or funds to the Collection. These individuals include artists who have directly gifted their artwork, private collectors who have donated artworks through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gift Program, and estate beneficiaries who donate to Penrith Regional Gallery in honour of the deceased. The Friends of Penrith Regional Gallery have also played a consistent and ongoing role in supporting the acquisition of works. The collection’s strengths include Australian modernism including Margo and Gerald Lewers and friends, and contemporary art.

Programming Strengths

Penrith Regional Gallery’s programming is underpinned by a philosophy of empowering new and existing audiences to lead their own creative engagement inside and outside the Gallery. Each year tens of thousands of visitors delight in the Gallery’s dynamic changing exhibitions, public and education programs, and events. The artist designed gardens feature sculptures by significant Australian artists and a relaxed garden cafe.

The exhibitions and associated learning and engagement programs feature local contemporary artists and touring exhibitions as well as artists’ commissions and displays from the Collection.

Exhibition Spaces

The Main Gallery, purpose built in 1981 is 276m squared, 90.3 running metres. It is the primary exhibition space on site. The heritage buildings, Lewers House and Ancher House were also converted to smaller exhibition galleries and retain many original features.

The heritage garden is some used for temporary art installations and has modern sculptures by artists such as Gerald Lewers, Margel Hinder and Bert Flugelman permanently displayed.