A landmark partnership between the City of Bunbury Council, Alcoa Foundation, and Gnaala Karla Booja (GKB) Aboriginal Corporation is bringing a dedicated First Nations arts space to life in the heart of Bunbury.
The newly named Wardandi Wanil Art Centre, to be located at 20 Prinsep Street, will be the first of its kind in the South West, offering a vibrant hub for First Nations artistic expression, cultural celebration, and community connection.
The name, chosen through deep consultation with Noongar Elders, artists, and a language linguist, honours the Wardandi people and the Wanil – peppermint tree – as a symbol of healing and cultural significance.
Preparations are now underway to transform the site into a dynamic cultural hub, featuring working studios, exhibition spaces, and communal areas. The centre will host a retail space, regular workshops, exhibitions, cultural events, and will deliver outreach programs across the upper South West and Peel regions, ensuring broad community access and engagement.
Artists will also benefit from access to mentorship and creative resources, ensuring a supportive environment for artistic growth and cultural exchange.
Backed by a transformative grant from the Alcoa Foundation and support from the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, the centre will empower First Nations artists, foster cultural preservation, and support sustainable creative livelihoods.
The City has signed a two-and-a-half-year lease for the site, with implementation guided by the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery Aboriginal Advisory Group and in collaboration with GKB. Planning is underway for an official opening in September.
“The Wardandi Wanil Art Centre is a proud step forward in our journey of reconciliation and cultural celebration and will serve as a vibrant space for artistic expression, collaboration, creativity, cultural pride, and connection,” said Mayor, Jaysen Miguel.
“We’re honoured to walk alongside our First Nations partners in bringing this dedicated space to life. I want to sincerely thank GKB, the Alcoa Foundation, and all our partners for their commitment and support to make this a reality. Together, we are creating a space that celebrates culture, creativity, and community,” he said.
“GKB is proud to support the Wardandi Wanil Art Centre and the opportunities it will create for local artists and the wider community. Securing a dedicated space in the heart of Bunbury is a significant step forward for celebrating and sharing Noongar culture,” said Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation CEO, Bruce Jorgensen.
“The Alcoa Foundation’s collaboration reflects our commitment to elevating Noongar voices and traditions through art. The Wardandi Wanil Art Centre presents a valuable opportunity to support First Nations artists and help shape a more inclusive and vibrant cultural landscape in the South West,” said Alcoa Foundation Board Member and President Alcoa Australia, Elsabe Muller.
“We are proud to support resilient communities in ways that are meaningful and locally driven.”
