The exhibitions will explore shared interests in the traditions of Australian landscape, and figurative art.

On display will be a special survey of artworks selected from The Wilkins Collection owned by the Arts Unit, Specialist Programs, Department of Education, and new paintings by Central West based artist Nic Mason titled WILD.

The Wilkins Collection named in honour of William Wilkins the first permanent head of the Department of Education in New South Wales was established in 1974 and has over 900 artworks.

Approximately 10 new bodies of work are purchased each year from students exhibiting in the annual ARTEXPRESS exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW.

This presentation of works from The Wilkins Collection consists of works selected from acquisitions made during the past 20 years.

Highlights include several multi-paneled landscape paintings and a collection of figurative works.

WILD is the first substantial body of work shown by Nic Mason since she began painting in oils and references Masons' long background in conservation management and her ongoing relationship with the Australian landscape, specifically the bush and big skies of the Blue Mountains and west of the Great Dividing Range.

The environmental focus of Mason is mixed with stories from her domestic and family life which echo Mason's disquiet about the impact of introduced pest animals on threatened Australian fauna and convey her immersion in living and bringing up a family within this landscape.

The exhibition also includes two large portraits of work colleagues, Sharon Riley and Dave Noble.

Both exhibitions open on Saturday, March 19 commencing at 2pm and will run from the March 20 trough to April 24.