Printmaking project derailed by politicians and musicians

The building's acoustics are at the centre of the dispute, as an alliance of musicians and politicians aim to block the Megalo Print Studio and Gallery from moving into the historic Fitters' Workshop in late 2012.

Lobbying from music groups prompted the Liberal and Green opposition to join forces and send the issue to a committee of the ACT Legislative Assembly.

Megalo is a member-based, visual arts organisation that provides artists with access to specialised printmaking facilities and expertise.

The Fitters' Workshop in the suburb of Kingston would be the perfect place for its activities, according to chief executive Alison Alder.

"Megalo believes that housing its studios and gallery in the Fitters' Workshop, in sympathy with the building's heritage as a workshop, its light and space, will ensure the Kingston Arts Precinct and Megalo have a viable future where people can view, make or see contemporary art being made," she said.

But some musicians want to stop Megalo taking over the Fitters' Workshop as they say it has superb acoustics that make it better suited to a music venue.

Alder said although the ACT government supported Megalo's plan to take over the Fitters' Workshop, it would remain "in limbo" until the committee released its report in March and the government responded to its recommendations.

"Politics have come into play," she said.

"I think the issue really is that one group wants it and another group wants it and it's difficult for those two competing claims to be resolved."

Adler said Megalo was sympathetic to musicians and would be happy to allow concerts to be held in its gallery space, which occupies about 15% of the building.

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