Riverina church’s million-dollar facelift keeps heritage in community’s hands
An unassuming church building in the NSW Riverina region is being transformed into an art and culture tourist destination.
$1 million will be spent renovating the 100-year-old historic and deconsecrated Immaculate Conception Church in Muttama, south of Cootamundra.
The Wired Lab CEO and artistic director Sarah Last told Deborah Knight the renovation will include multiple installations, accommodation for visitors and artists in residence, and a space for “deep listening”.
“The centrepiece of the church will be a listening experience within the nave … and that will involve a series of commissions by significant international and Australian artists to develop works of sound.”
Though the church could no longer reasonably be maintained as is, The Wired Lab’s purchase will ensure locals can still visit and enjoy a space their families held weddings and funerals in.
“It probably would’ve gone into private hands, so it’s really lovely that we can continue a community connection with this site.”
Press PLAY below to hear more about the project
Image: Supplied