Latrobe Regional Gallery

Latrobe Regional Gallery is a public art gallery in Morwell, Victoria, Australia, established in 1971 and owned and operated by Latrobe City Council. Located in the Gippsland region, it is one of the largest public galleries in eastern Victoria, presenting contemporary art exhibitions, public programs, and education activities. The gallery holds a collection of more than 1,400 works across painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and video, and is housed in a heritage building originally constructed as the Morwell Town Hall in 1936.

The gallery was established in 1971 on the site of the former Morwell Town Hall, which had been built in 1936 at the corner of Commercial and Hazelwood Roads. This construction followed a fire in 1880 that destroyed the original Mechanics' Institute, a building that had been rebuilt and opened in 1907. For decades, the gallery operated from this heritage structure before undergoing a major AUD 1.5 million refurbishment in 2017. Designed by NAAU Studio, the renovation introduced climate control, LED lighting, and flexible display walls to meet international exhibition standards. The venue reopened on 14 July 2017, marked by a world-first René Magritte exhibition.

The collection encompasses over 1,400 works of regional and national significance, spanning all media from the nineteenth century through to the early 2000s. Its strengths include contemporary Australian art in all media, a diverse range of historical and contemporary images of the Gippsland region, and dedicated sub-collections. These include the Maryvale Art Foundation Collection, the Alan Aldous Asian Art Collection, a perfume bottle collection, the Colin Suggett Sculpture Collection, and a significant number of contemporary works donated from the Bank of Melbourne Regional Art Collection. The holdings also feature contemporary Australian glass, works on paper including drawing, photography and printmaking, and a growing collection of Australian video art. Many works reference the history of the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland region.

The collection includes significant individual paintings and prints by Jessie Traill, Noel Counihan, Jan Senbergs, Mandy Martin, and Kevin Mortensen. These artists represent a cross-section of Australian practice from the nineteenth century to the early 2000s. The Alan Aldous Collection of Asian Art and the Colin Suggett Sculpture Collection are notable dedicated holdings. The Bank of Melbourne Regional Art Collection donation added substantial contemporary works. The gallery's programming has also attracted major exhibitions, including the 2017 René Magritte exhibition that served as the post-refurbishment reopening show.

The gallery occupies a heritage building at 138 Commercial Road, originally constructed as the Morwell Town Hall in 1936. The structure sits on the corner of Commercial and Hazelwood Roads. Following the 2017 refurbishment by NAAU Studio, the complex features seven exhibition spaces and a sculpture courtyard. The renovation introduced modern environmental and display infrastructure while preserving the building's heritage character.

Latrobe Regional Gallery is located at 138 Commercial Road, Morwell, approximately ten minutes' walk from Morwell Train and Bus Station. By car from Melbourne, visitors travel along the M1, exit onto Morwell-Thorpdale Road toward Morwell, and continue onto Commercial Road. Parking is available directly opposite the gallery. The venue is wheelchair accessible, with lifts, ramps, and a wheelchair available by reservation. Male and female amenities with wheelchair access and an infant change table are provided, and the gallery is a breastfeeding-friendly venue. There is currently no cafe on site, though food and drink options are available nearby on Commercial Road. The LRG Shop features ceramics, jewellery, and books by Gippsland artists and makers, with a focus on environmentally conscious works. The gallery offers tours, workshops, and a children's art space. The gallery is owned and operated by Latrobe City Council, with Pauline Tranchant as Director and Alexandra Drummond as Curator.