If you’re looking for a unique gift this Christmas, the Kiama Old Fire Station is the place to be.

Until Wednesday (19 November), the Shellharbour City Arts Society is hosting The Spirit of Giving, a quick exhibition showcasing works by 12 local artists.

Visitors can browse the gallery from 9am-5pm, with extended hours on Saturday. The official opening will feature a chance to meet the artists at 12pm on Saturday.

Illawarra printmaker Jenine Bailey has been refining her craft since discovering printmaking in 2013.

Known for her meticulous lines and tonal detail, Bailey draws inspiration from the Shellharbour region and beyond.

“I go into Port Kembla every week, there’s a print studio there with all traditional printing machines and etch metal places - all sorts of things to produce images,” Bailey said. 

“We’ve got a range of different techniques out there and really cheerful images, which would be lovely to give as gifts, and the prices are also very nice.

"You usually don’t get art for Christmas, so it would be a nice surprise.”

Kiama-based artist Susan Alexander brings the sea to life on her canvases. Inspired by morning walks along Surf Beach where she resides, she uses vibrant colours and a mix of materials, often found on the beach, to capture the ocean’s textures.

“I like different textures and I like the way acrylic paint moves on the canvas,” Alexander said.

“I reject the notion of painting like a photograph— I’m striving to evoke the essence of the ocean in its purest form.” 

Her work reflects a lifetime connected to the sea, from growing up on a dairy farm at the base of Illawarra escarpment, to years spent yachting across the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

The Kiama Old Fire Station, a community gallery owned by Kiama Council and operated by the artists who hire the space, regularly hosts exhibitions by individual artists or collectives. 

Each show offers a unique window into the local creative community.

This festive season, support local artists and give a gift that’s as thoughtful as it is beautiful.