Visitor Information
Open Weekdays
The Merrepen gallery is open on weekdays from 8.30AM till 5PM. It is generally open all year round but is sometimes closed over the Christmas holidays and when the Merrepen team are working off site.
Getting To Merrepen
Drive to Adelaide River. Turn off to the right after Adelaide River. Follow the signs to Daly River. Merrepen is located in the Aboriginal Community of Nauiyu. The road is bitumen from Darwin. Caution is advised, particularly in the wet season. It is also wise to keep a look out for wandering stock. Better to drive in daylight hours.
Flood Watch
Merrepen was hit by floodwaters in 1998 and again in 2011, 2015, 2017 and 2019 and though the actual gallery is protected from floodwaters by its second story aspect, situated above peak floodwater levels, it still suffered significant equipment and material loss and associated building damage at ground level. Flood is a constant threat to the community and the gallery.
No Permit Needed
No permit is required to visit the community.
What You See
The gallery and workshop situated in a tropical garden is currently used for display and sale of art works plus houses MACLAC’s own collection of artefacts, art works and cultural items that have been repatriated to the community.
The gallery also houses a small “knowledge and language centre” where community members are working on repatriating and archiving items of importance to the community and region from the past 100 years. The knowledge centre holds vital recordings and transcripts of stories translated from language to English to be held for future generations.
Highlights
We have many projects on the go. Here are some of our exhibitions and workshops. See you there.
27 June -1 August
Painting My Country Painting My Culture - Solo Exhibition by Kieren Karritpul - Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre, Katherine
2020 National Indigenous Art Awards - 5 August
Kieren Karritpul Merrepen artist and arts worker, has been shortlisted for the 2020 Indigenous Textile Artist of the Year award in the National Indigenous Art Awards. Watch this space.
Opens Friday 14 August 6PM
Kieren Karritpul Works on Paper 2020 - Bush Traders, Darwin
Opens 21st August 5.30PM
Merrepen 2020: Phillip Wilson, Kieren Karritpul, Carmen Gilbert, Nola Jimarin, AnnCarmel Mulvien, Susan Nurra - Tactile Arts, Darwin
22 August
Kieren Karritpul Lino Block Workshop - Tactile Arts
2020 TBC
Darwin Pop Up Exhibition - Darwin
2020 Online
Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair