Jervis Bay Maritime Museum and Gallery president John Fergusson said the name change would create opportunities for the museum to evolve.

“The name change is a merging of the museum into a broader institution to not only incorporate the importance of the Lady Denman, but all of the exhibitions we have here with the ability to expand that into the future,” he said.

“It will enable us to highlight the quality of our exhibitions within our community, nationally and internationally.

“The change also allows us to be easily identified with the Jervis Bay region.”

Mr Fergusson said the name change coincided with the only Shoalhaven exhibition of Arthur Boyd’s work outside the grounds of Bundanon.

“We couldn’t think of a better way of identifying Jervis Bay Maritime Museum as a prominent institution that houses our extraordinary history for our community.”

Bundanon Trust collections and exhibitions manager Jennifer Thompson said 55 pieces would be on display, including paintings, prints, drawings and ceramics.

“The exhibition will also feature work from Charles Blackman, Leonard French and Yvonne Boyd,” she said.

“This is an Australia-wide, travelling exhibition that highlights Arthur Boyd’s love of the local area.

“It’s an exhibition to show how Arthur used art to make comment on what happened in society, including war, the treatment of Aboriginal people and environmental issues.”

The Arthur Boyd: An Active Awareness exhibition will launch on Friday, February 27 from 6pm and will be open for public exhibition for eight weeks.