Inside the Walls

Former Darlinghurst Gaol and the National Art School Tours

Tours meet at Forbes Street entrance

The site of former Darlinghurst gaol and the National Art School is one of Australia’s oldest and best-preserved examples of colonial sandstone architecture, which over the last two centuries has transformed from a place of abject misery to one of Australia’s premier arts institutes. According to legend, the building is haunted by the restless ghosts of some of the 76 people including bushrangers, the ‘demon dentist’ and men and women who were executed at the gaol’s gallows.

Join us for a lively historical tour, shedding light on the fascinating history of the site and exposing the dark, hidden corners which aren’t usually open for public access.

Led by an expert historical guide, the tour takes approximately ninety minutes and includes the historic Cell Block Theatre, the Chapel, the old Governor’s residence, the morgue, the tunnel which was used to process and delouse prisoners and the site of the former gallows.

Maximum 20 participants. Tours include rough, uneven surfaces and stairs. Tours will proceed except in the case of extreme weather. Access to all buildings will be subject to availability on the day of the tour.

For group bookings/queries please contact by email anita.toft@nas.edu.au or phone: 02 9339 8609

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Please note Refunds and transfers are not available.

Book Launch

CAPTIVATE: Stories from The National Art School and Darlinghurst Gaol

Saturday 24 September 11am, NAS Gallery

Join CAPTIVATE: Stories from The National Art School and Darlinghurst Gaol author and NAS Archivist, Deborah Beck and contributing author, journalist, television presenter and former book publisher, Jennifer Byrne in conversation and discover little known facts about the history of the Darlinghurst Gaol and the National Art School.

This book celebrates two significant Sydney institutions which helped shape the penal an cultural history of New South Wales. The National Art School (NAS) has been located on the site of the former Darlinghurst Gaol since 1922. In 2022, NAS commemorates two important milestones in its history: the 100-year anniversary of its location in Darlinghurst, and the 200-year anniversary of the commencement of the construction of the Darlinghurst Gaol walls (1822).

Each chapter tells the story of a critical time, person or event that illustrates the highs and lows of this unique place, which was originally designed to supress the human spirit.

Copies of the book are available to purchase for $40, Deborah will available to sign.

Please advise us at marketing@nas.edu.au if you have special needs regarding access.

Inside the Walls

Former Darlinghurst Gaol and the National Art School Tours

Tours meet at Forbes Street entrance

The site of former Darlinghurst gaol and the National Art School is one of Australia’s oldest and best-preserved examples of colonial sandstone architecture, which over the last two centuries has transformed from a place of abject misery to one of Australia’s premier arts institutes. According to legend, the building is haunted by the restless ghosts of some of the 76 people including bushrangers, the ‘demon dentist’ and men and women who were executed at the gaol’s gallows.

Join us for a lively historical tour, shedding light on the fascinating history of the site and exposing the dark, hidden corners which aren’t usually open for public access.

Led by an expert historical guide, the tour takes approximately ninety minutes and includes the historic Cell Block Theatre, the Chapel, the old Governor’s residence, the morgue, the tunnel which was used to process and delouse prisoners and the site of the former gallows.

Maximum 20 participants. Tours include rough, uneven surfaces and stairs. Tours will proceed except in the case of extreme weather. Access to all buildings will be subject to availability on the day of the tour.

For group bookings/queries please contact by email anita.toft@nas.edu.au or phone: 02 9339 8609

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Please note Refunds and transfers are not available.

Heads of Department Panel Discussion

CAPTIVATE: The National Art School and Darlinghurst Gaol

Saturday 24 September 2pm, NAS Gallery

Join Deputy Director and Head of Studies Simon Cooper and NAS Heads of Department as they respond to the CAPTIVATE exhibition and discuss the ongoing commitment to artists, alumni and contemporary art practices at The National Art School.

CAPTIVATE is a series of campus wide exhibitions and programs that acknowledge the rich history of both the National Art School which has been located on the site of the former Darlinghurst Gaol since 1922 and the incredible stories behind the Darlinghurst Gaol whose historic sandstone walls were commenced in 1822.

Staged across four gallery spaces on campus in September and October 2022, these exhibitions and programs thoughtfully acknowledge the wide-ranging aspects of the National Art School as an institution, including acknowledging the First Peoples, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and their continued connection to the land and site of NAS.

CAPTIVATE reveals some of the incredible stories ‘behind the walls’ of the Darlinghurst Gaol and the National Art School, including infamous inmates such as the bushranger Captain Moonlite, through to the many famous artists that have shaped the National Art School over the past 100 years; its influential academic staff, life models, commercial and graphic designers, unsung women artists and of course the incredible legacy of its alumni, featuring many of Australia’s most significant artists.

Together these exhibitions and programs make a dynamic statement about the significance of the site, the history of the gaol and this incredible art school that supports the organisation in the present day, its leadership and centrality as a place for critical conversations to be developed about art and its importance to our understanding of the world around us.

Please advise us at marketing@nas.edu.au if you have special needs regarding access.

Poetry Readings

CAPTIVATE: The National Art School and Darlinghurst Gaol

Saturday 24 September 3pm, NAS Gallery

Commissioned poet, Dr. Saba Vasefi presents her poetic reflections on the hybrid form of imprisonment in response to the CAPTIVATE: The National Art School and Darlinghurst Gaol exhibition. Dr. Vasefi is a multi-award-winning scholar-journalist and documentary filmmaker who teaches at the University of Sydney, Macquarie University, and the University of Canberra. As a human rights journalist in Iran, she advocated for the rights of women and children on death row. In 2010, she fled the fundamentalist regime in Iran. Dr Vasefi has written three poems entitled Soliloquy, The Memory Orchard and The Keys in response to material in this exhibition including a Gaol photograph of manacles hanging from bars on a window, a “ Silence Please” sign, Two Hangman’s Ropes and 3 Iron Gaol Keys.

CAPTIVATE is a series of campus wide exhibitions and programs that acknowledge the rich history of both the National Art School which has been located on the site of the former Darlinghurst Gaol since 1922 and the incredible stories behind the Darlinghurst Gaol whose historic sandstone walls were commenced in 1822.

Staged across four gallery spaces on campus in September and October 2022, these exhibitions and programs thoughtfully acknowledge the wide-ranging aspects of the National Art School as an institution, including acknowledging the First Peoples, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and their continued connection to the land and site of NAS.

CAPTIVATE reveals some of the incredible stories ‘behind the walls’ of the Darlinghurst Gaol and the National Art School, including infamous inmates such as the bushranger Captain Moonlite, through to the many famous artists that have shaped the National Art School over the past 100 years; its influential academic staff, life models, commercial and graphic designers, unsung women artists and of course the incredible legacy of its alumni, featuring many of Australia’s most significant artists.

Together these exhibitions and programs make a dynamic statement about the significance of the site, the history of the gaol and this incredible art school that supports the organisation in the present day, its leadership and centrality as a place for critical conversations to be developed about art and its importance to our understanding of the world around us.

Please advise us at marketing@nas.edu.au if you have special needs regarding access.

Inside the Walls

Former Darlinghurst Gaol and the National Art School Tours

Tours meet at Forbes Street entrance

The site of former Darlinghurst gaol and the National Art School is one of Australia’s oldest and best-preserved examples of colonial sandstone architecture, which over the last two centuries has transformed from a place of abject misery to one of Australia’s premier arts institutes. According to legend, the building is haunted by the restless ghosts of some of the 76 people including bushrangers, the ‘demon dentist’ and men and women who were executed at the gaol’s gallows.

Join us for a lively historical tour, shedding light on the fascinating history of the site and exposing the dark, hidden corners which aren’t usually open for public access.

Led by an expert historical guide, the tour takes approximately ninety minutes and includes the historic Cell Block Theatre, the Chapel, the old Governor’s residence, the morgue, the tunnel which was used to process and delouse prisoners and the site of the former gallows.

Maximum 20 participants. Tours include rough, uneven surfaces and stairs. Tours will proceed except in the case of extreme weather. Access to all buildings will be subject to availability on the day of the tour.

For group bookings/queries please contact by email anita.toft@nas.edu.au or phone: 02 9339 8609

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Please note Refunds and transfers are not available.

Inside the Walls

Former Darlinghurst Gaol and the National Art School Tours

Tours meet at Forbes Street entrance

The site of former Darlinghurst gaol and the National Art School is one of Australia’s oldest and best-preserved examples of colonial sandstone architecture, which over the last two centuries has transformed from a place of abject misery to one of Australia’s premier arts institutes. According to legend, the building is haunted by the restless ghosts of some of the 76 people including bushrangers, the ‘demon dentist’ and men and women who were executed at the gaol’s gallows.

Join us for a lively historical tour, shedding light on the fascinating history of the site and exposing the dark, hidden corners which aren’t usually open for public access.

Led by an expert historical guide, the tour takes approximately ninety minutes and includes the historic Cell Block Theatre, the Chapel, the old Governor’s residence, the morgue, the tunnel which was used to process and delouse prisoners and the site of the former gallows.

Maximum 20 participants. Tours include rough, uneven surfaces and stairs. Tours will proceed except in the case of extreme weather. Access to all buildings will be subject to availability on the day of the tour.

For group bookings/queries please contact by email anita.toft@nas.edu.au or phone: 02 9339 8609

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Please note Refunds and transfers are not available.

Inside the Walls

Former Darlinghurst Gaol and the National Art School Tours

Tours meet at Forbes Street entrance

The site of former Darlinghurst gaol and the National Art School is one of Australia’s oldest and best-preserved examples of colonial sandstone architecture, which over the last two centuries has transformed from a place of abject misery to one of Australia’s premier arts institutes. According to legend, the building is haunted by the restless ghosts of some of the 76 people including bushrangers, the ‘demon dentist’ and men and women who were executed at the gaol’s gallows.

Join us for a lively historical tour, shedding light on the fascinating history of the site and exposing the dark, hidden corners which aren’t usually open for public access.

Led by an expert historical guide, the tour takes approximately ninety minutes and includes the historic Cell Block Theatre, the Chapel, the old Governor’s residence, the morgue, the tunnel which was used to process and delouse prisoners and the site of the former gallows.

Maximum 20 participants. Tours include rough, uneven surfaces and stairs. Tours will proceed except in the case of extreme weather. Access to all buildings will be subject to availability on the day of the tour.

For group bookings/queries please contact by email anita.toft@nas.edu.au or phone: 02 9339 8609

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Please note Refunds and transfers are not available.

Inside the Walls

Former Darlinghurst Gaol and the National Art School Tours

Tours meet at Forbes Street entrance

The site of former Darlinghurst gaol and the National Art School is one of Australia’s oldest and best-preserved examples of colonial sandstone architecture, which over the last two centuries has transformed from a place of abject misery to one of Australia’s premier arts institutes. According to legend, the building is haunted by the restless ghosts of some of the 76 people including bushrangers, the ‘demon dentist’ and men and women who were executed at the gaol’s gallows.

Join us for a lively historical tour, shedding light on the fascinating history of the site and exposing the dark, hidden corners which aren’t usually open for public access.

Led by an expert historical guide, the tour takes approximately ninety minutes and includes the historic Cell Block Theatre, the Chapel, the old Governor’s residence, the morgue, the tunnel which was used to process and delouse prisoners and the site of the former gallows.

Maximum 20 participants. Tours include rough, uneven surfaces and stairs. Tours will proceed except in the case of extreme weather. Access to all buildings will be subject to availability on the day of the tour.

For group bookings/queries please contact by email anita.toft@nas.edu.au or phone: 02 9339 8609

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Please note Refunds and transfers are not available.