The three announcements were made to a packed audience at Mr Sisley’s memorial service on Saturday afternoon.

More than 250 people filled Gallery One to hear a “kalediscope of memories” about the late-director who died from complications after surgery on February 9.

 Friends of Orange Regional Gallery was represented by president Ros Kemp, founding member Dr Bernie Huxtable, and patron Kenneth Dryland who unveiled the plaque renaming the gallery after the much-loved gallery director.

Ms Kemp said the group had decided to create an annual oration featuring an imminent figure from the art world to commemorate Mr Sisley.

“I feel there’s no greater wordsmith than Alan,” she said.

Orange mayor John Davis said renaming Gallery One would ensure the late-director was remembered into the future.

Dubbo Regional Gallery curator Kent Buchanan said the Regional and Public Galleries Association of NSW would establish a fellowship for regional gallery staff to travel to other galleries for research in honour of Mr Sisley, a former president of the group.

Laughs filled the gallery for much of the memorial service.

The crowd heard a recording of Mr Sisley’s electronic music, a piece inspired by “hardcore psychedelic trance”, according to his son Henry Sisley, and a video of the gallery director sharing some of his outspoken views prompted laughs.

Mr Sisley’s love of folk music and dancing was also on show, with a group of morris dancers performing after the memorial and Henry Sisley playing two of his father’s favourite songs on guitar.