A fundraising auction for Canberra's iconic Drill Hall Gallery hopes to raise much-needed funds to bring the ageing exhibition space into the 21st century.

Twenty-eight artworks donated by artists, gallerists and well-wishers will be auctioned by Bonhams in Sydney on December 1, with proceeds going towards long-awaited upgrades for the gallery, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

Paintings by artists including Aida Tomescu, Tony Tuckson and Gareth Sansom will go under the hammer, alongside modernist sculptures by Paul Selwood, Campbell Robertson-Swann and Dave Teer.

Also being auctioned is a portfolio of 12 artist's prints donated by Kay Lanceley, widow of artist Colin Lanceley, which includes works by Cressida Campbell, Arthur Boyd and Tim Storrier.

Drill Hall Gallery director Terence Maloon said he hoped to raise around $100,000 from the sale, which would help pay for state-of-the-art gallery lighting to replace the 1980s 'garden lights' currently used.

"Our gallery is in urgent need of refurbishment to ensure that we can continue to provide high quality exhibitions of contemporary Australian art and support artists through mid-career surveys, retrospectives and thematic, ideas-based shows," Mr Maloon said.

"The Drill Hall Gallery is a unique space, built during the Second World War, and the refurbishment will ensure the natural light and beauty of the gallery are reinstated."

Mr Maloon said the Australian National University, which owns the Drill Hall Gallery, was also contributing substantial funds to the upgrade but more was needed.

"It's a fact of life in both universities and the arts these days that budgets only stretch so far, so it was wonderful to get the green light to do an art fundraiser," he said.

"We have been thrilled with the response from artists, academics, gallerists and well-wishers and we hope the sale will ensure we can enjoy another 30 great years here."

Bonhams' Drill Hall Gallery Fundraising Auction, Lots 61–88, Fine Australian Art sale, Sydney, December 1, 6.30pm

Media contact: Emma Miller; tel +61 (0) 401 642 535; [email protected]