A major new cultural and ecological destination is set to open in Victoria’s Grampians region this winter, blending art, environmental awareness, and native biodiversity. The Wama Foundation, located in Halls Gap, will launch Stage One of its ambitious project mid-winter, featuring Australia’s first gallery solely dedicated to environmental art alongside expansive native gardens.
At the heart of the new precinct is the National Centre for Environmental Art, the first of its kind in Australia. The gallery will showcase works focused on nature and the environmental, social, and political issues that surround it. The inaugural exhibition, End & Being, will present a compelling body of work by Western Australian artist Jacobus Capone. This exhibition reflects on the climate crisis, capturing a demanding performance staged above and beneath the Bossons Glacier in France. Its launch aligns with the United Nations’ declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.
Curated by José Da Silva, End & Being invites audiences to contemplate the human relationship with fragile ecosystems. “Jacobus and I are deeply honoured to be part of Wama’s inaugural exhibition and to present a project that, like Wama, seeks to foster a dialogue between art, humanity and the environment,” said Da Silva.
Beyond the gallery, visitors can explore a series of landscaped gardens that celebrate the rich biodiversity of the region. The grounds include the Gariwerd/Grampians Endemic Garden, the Jallukar Grasslands, and ephemeral wetlands, home to over 500 plant species and nearly 60 fauna species, many of which are rare or endangered. More than half of the plant species are indigenous to the surrounding area.
The outdoor experience is further enriched by sculptures and the presence of local wildlife, including cockatoos, kookaburras, and turtles.
Following the launch of Stage One, which includes the art gallery and gardens, Stage Two of the Wama Foundation precinct will expand offerings with a sculpture trail, nature play zones, and accessible boardwalks.
The Wama Foundation represents a unique fusion of creativity and conservation, aiming to inspire reflection and engagement with the natural world through both visual art and immersive landscape experiences.
