Cast your eyes on an exciting array of items, some not previously displayed, from the Visual Arts and Performing Arts Collections, in Treasures of the Adelaide Festival Centre collections in the Artspace Gallery (upstairs in the Dunstan Playhouse) from 27 March – 25 April 2010.

This is an Aladdin’s cave of “treasures” including the significant, quirky, unusual and sometimes the everyday things we have forgotten, showing the diversity and range of 31 years of collecting from the Performing Arts Collection. The Visual Arts collection has been formed over 36 years and includes significant permanent works, sculptures, prints and paintings by well-known artists.

Items on display include:

Performing Arts Collection

- Several plywood panels from Hindley Street’s La Cantina restaurant circa 1950 – 1960, when visiting artists would sign the walls

- The backdrop designed by well-known South Australian artist Pro Hart for the Australian Ballet’s production of Red Earth (donated by the artist) – the only time that Pro Hart was involved in a theatrical production

- The theatre harness from the old Tivoli Theatre, King William Street and giant gold tassel from the Theatre Royal, Hindley Street

- 19th century Punch and Judy puppets and theatre

- The oversized “coin pile” props from the Festival Theatre’s production of 42nd Street

- Letters written by well-known Australian author Patrick White to theatre director John Tasker (who directed the first stage adaptations of White’s stories)

Visual Arts

- A Sydney Ball painting that has recently returned to the Festival Centre from a nationally touring retrospective exhibition of Ball’s work

- A series of Fred William’s etchings created as part of the much-loved painted panels permanently installed in the Festival Theatre Foyer

- Banner style paintings by Ian Abdulla of his time growing up in the 1950s and 1960s along parts of the Murray River

- Bold, whimsical animal sculptures from Indigenous artists of the Utopian region of Central Australia.

- Rod Dudley’s 10 Ladies sculpture, a favourite of the Festival Centre’s Foyers

- Otto Hajek’s graphic screen prints of the Festival Centre

Information panels as part of the exhibition will also inform visitors of the respective focuses of both departments.

“Roll up, roll up, be astounded, be amazed and taken back in time with this unique collection created from the donations of performing artists and the public alike,” said Jo Peoples (Exhibition Coordinator, Performing Arts Collection).

“Although working within the same building this is the first time the Visual Arts department and Performing Arts Collection have collaborated to produce an intriguing exhibition combining these two highly significant collections” said Charissa Davies (Exhibition Curator, Visual Arts department).

Treasures of the Adelaide Festival Centre is open 12noon - 5pm Wednesday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm Sunday, from 27 March - 25 April, in the Artspace Gallery, Adelaide Festival Centre (access via Festival Drive, or Dunstan Playhouse Foyer). It's free too, so no excuses!

For further information check out: www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au.