Signs of normality are returning to the National Gallery of Australia, with the cafe and shop opening this week after being closed since March due to COVID-19.
The revamped shop, now known as the Art Store, has moved from Level 1 to the ground floor near the entrance, with some new products including Blue Poles-inspired truffles and the world's only white-coloured Fink and Co jug. The former shop area on Level 1 is being restored to gallery space.
There is also new seating outside the store, where people can sit and charge their phones or work on their laptops, with plans for the cafe, now outside, to eventually open into the gallery foyer and allow patrons to also enjoy a coffee inside.
Visitor services have also been consolidated at the main entrance, a one-stop location for exhibition and event ticketing, membership and other information. Free self-service cloaking has also been created within the Art Store.
The Art Store has been designed with the gallery's Brutalist concrete structure in mind, as well as a nod or two to architect Colin Madigan's triangles.
The gallery's retail manager and buyer Karen Bustamante said several products had been made specifically for the NGA including triangle vases by Brisbane ceramicist Erin Lightfoot, the Blue Poles-inspired chocolates called Sweet Blue by Braddon's Enigma Fine Chocolates and Blue Poles-inspired umbrellas.
The unique Fink jug was retailing for $450.
"It's the first time they've done white and it's the only one in the world," Ms Bustamante said.
"For each batch they have to do six and out of the six, only one came out that was marketable, sell-able so they're doing another run of six and we don't know how much will come out of that. So, it's very limited."
Ms Bustamante said it made sense to have all the visitor services in one spot.
"Instead of a little bit here, a little bit over there," she said.
The gallery was also starting to host excursions for local schools, another step towards post-COVID life.
