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History, culture and art combine at Busselton’s ArtGeo Cultural Complex in an attraction that’s well worth exploring.
The story of the heritage-listed site begins with Busselton’s judicial and settlement history. Today, it’s a creative hub for the visual and performing arts featuring the 19th century Courthouse complex, the Old Post Office Tea Rooms, ArtGeo Gallery and the Stables Studios. With its earliest limestone structures dating from 1860–61, the Courthouse complex contains some of Busselton’s oldest buildings. They include nine stark gaol cells, and a bonded warehouse once linked to Busselton Jetty by tramline. Nowadays, the Bond Store is a retail outlet for regional arts and crafts. A new brick and timber courtroom designed by George Temple Poole (1856–1934) was added in 1897. It’s a rare example of arts, crafts and architecture featuring authentic judicial furniture made from local Jarrah. Across Queen Street, a refurbished bank built in 1931 once played a prominent role in the Groups Settlement Scheme. Now known as ArtGeo Gallery, it’s a stylish space for contemporary art exhibitions sourced Australia-wide. ArtGeo’s captivating blend of art and history includes the Stables Studios, Acting Up Academy of Performing Arts, Weld Repertory Theatre, Busselton Art Society, Busselton branch of the Woodturners’ Association, and the Settlement Art Project life-size bronze sculptures. |
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