Resident artist Anna Fraser transforms Scone Museum’s historic lock-up into an immersive digital installation.
The Scone & Upper Hunter Historical Society and Case Collective invite the community to the launch of Time Portal — a new immersive digital installation by artist Anna Fraser — on Sunday 21 June at 1pm at Scone Museum, 43-47 Kingdon St, Scone. Free entry. To register click here.
Time Portal is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW as part of the Creative Steps — New Work funding program, which supports the development of new artistic works across NSW.
Developed over twelve months in collaboration with Scone Museum and the local community, Time Portal transforms the historic Scone Lock-up jail cell into a multi-sensory experience of light, sound and moving image. Drawing on the museum’s remarkable collection — from 16mm film reels to a Victorian wedding dress, a prickly pear mincer to a brass fire helmet — the installation weaves together the hidden stories of the Upper Hunter region.
The launch will be officially opened by State Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell MP and will include a community BBQ. Guests are also invited to view animated works created by local students from Scone Grammar School and the wider community during workshops with Anna Fraser.
Following the launch, Time Portal will remain on permanent display at Scone Museum, accessible during normal opening hours. Visitors are encouraged to contact the museum to arrange a visit.
About the project
As part of the project, Anna Fraser led a series of creative workshops with students from Scone Grammar School and young people from the wider community. Working with objects from the Scone Museum collection, participants created their own digital animations which will be on display in the museum alongside the main installation — giving young people in the Upper Hunter a hands-on introduction to digital art making and a new way of seeing their local history.
Time Portal is the inaugural project of Case Collective, a creative partnership dedicated to reimagining small regional museums across Australia. The project was developed with Scone & Upper Hunter Historical Society, Scone Grammar School, and the wider community.
About the artists and team Time Portal is created by Case Collective — immersive artist Anna Fraser and creative producer Suzannah Jones. Anna Fraser brings extensive experience across Hollywood film productions, large-scale museum installations and major public art projects including Vivid Sydney to this remarkable regional collaboration. She has previously worked with institutions including the Australian Museum, Sydney Jewish Museum and Powerhouse Museum, and her large scale projection work includes Badu Gili at the Sydney Opera House.
Sound design is by Gary Sinclair, with technical realisation by Giles Westley and cinematography by Bonnie Elliott ACS. The project has been supported by volunteers and community members including museum facilitators Carolyn Carter, Margaret MacDougall, Dianne Walmsley and Carol Ray, installation build by Don MacDougall, voice over by Phil Charley of the Scone Community Amateur Dramatic Society, and videography by Thomas Ryan.
This project is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
Event details:
What: Time Portal — Immersive Installation Launch
When: Sunday 21 June 2026, 1pm
Where: Scone Museum, 43-47 Kingdon St, Scone
Free Entry RSVP: timeportallaunch.my.canva.site or contact Suzannah Jones 0447 813 327 / hello.suzannahjj@outlook.com
Following the launch, Time Portal will remain on permanent display at Scone Museum, accessible during normal opening hours. Visitors are encouraged to contact the museum to arrange a visit.
Image: Dresses of Change, by Anna Fraser
Media release courtesy of Case Collective