‘It’s a real privilege’: suburban gallery scores works from the national collection
An Oaklands Park gallery has pulled off a major coup, securing seven significant pieces from the National Gallery of Australia as part of a federal government initiative.
Stepping into a most small suburban art galleries, you don’t typically expect to find nationally significant works by the likes of Jeffrey Smart and Fred Williams hanging on the walls.
But Gallery M, located in the Marion Cultural Centre, has secured seven significant art works on long term loan from the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.
“Being in a location like ours means people might stumble upon these pieces as part of their everyday routine — and I find that possibility really fascinating,” Gallery M manager Anne-Marie Green tells InReview.
It all began in 2023, when Green attended a conference and first heard about ‘Sharing the National Collection’, a new initiative by the National Gallery of Australia to bring its treasures out of storage and into regional galleries across the country.
“It sounded so incredible,” Green says. “I thought it would be amazing if I could land that for Gallery M. I applied the day after I returned from the conference and the process began.”
Gallery M and its adjoining small shop is managed by the Red House Group on behalf of the City of Marion council, and averages between 17 and 20 exhibitions a year, from established and emerging artists working across a range of media.
“The Red House Group (RHG) is essentially a group of artists – we have a board of governance and have representatives from local artists and a representative from council who sit on the board,” Green says.
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“We take a small commission from items sold in the shop and from artworks sold during exhibitions which helps us with operational costs associated with running the gallery.”
Securing the works was a major win for this grassroots gallery, according to Green, who says the approval process took around 18 months.
“Choosing was the fun part but also the trickiest,” Green says. “It’s a huge collection to work through … but at the back of my mind, I wanted pieces that would resonate with our community here in SA – works that could generate meaningful connection.
“The NGA worked with us every step of the way, checking availability and for suitability for travel and display – we did have a couple of false starts, but at every step of the way the team at the NGA was incredible, helping with coordination of learning resources, cross checking promotions, securing licensing agreements, site visits, and developing workshops and resources for us to use over the course of the loan.”
Since the collection was installed in March this year, hundreds of visitors have been through the gallery to see the iconic pieces up close.
“As a curator, it’s a real privilege to have these works here — to see them every day and engage in meaningful conversations about them in such a casual and welcoming environment,” Green says.
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Before arriving at Gallery M Green lived in Sydney for 25 years, completing a Bachelor of Fine Art and Master of Art at the University of New South Wales before working as an interior designer and teaching Bachelor of Design students at the Design Centre Enmore.
When she returned to Adelaide in 2016 with her husband and two daughters, she initially found it difficult to find work.
“I was convinced there must be some way of using my art and design knowledge so, I chose to do a Master of Museum and Curatorial Studies at the University of Adelaide – it was one of the best things I have ever done.”
Her studies led to an internship with the City of Marion and an emerging curator residency with Guildhouse, before joining Gallery M in 2021.
Green says suburban galleries like Gallery M are a vital part of embedding the arts into community life.
“Having a gallery like ours next to a library, café, and theatre weaves artistic practice and learning into everyday suburban life. It’s a reminder that art and creativity are all around us,” she says. “Creativity exists in many forms and at all skill levels — there’s hardly anything in our world that hasn’t involved some form of creative thinking, except perhaps nature itself.
“Displaying your art also takes courage and dedication, and it plays an important role in shaping a positive sense of identity.”
But it is what suburban and regional galleries bring to a community that is at the heart of why Green loves her work.
“A wise woman once told me there are two ways to approach community art: you can have a space where the community simply brings their work to display, or you can create meaningful exhibitions that challenge and inspire,” Green says.
“I believe we do a bit of both — but for me, maintaining high standards is essential. It elevates the profile of artists and gives them real financial opportunities. A gallery can absolutely be both: a place with heart, and a place that pushes boundaries.”
With these famous art works on loan from the National Gallery until March 2027, Green hopes the new additions will raise the profile of all the artists who grace Gallery M.
“Our exhibition calendar is full for 2026, and we have started scheduling for 2027 so there is never a dull moment,” Green says.
Learn more about Gallery M and Sharing the National Collection