Eleven significant early works by iconic Australian artist Arthur Boyd have made their way back to Bundanon, offering Shoalhaven audiences a rare chance to view pieces that shaped one of the nation’s most influential artistic careers.The works have been loaned to Bundanon Art Museum under the Federal Government’s Sharing the National Collection program - an initiative designed to bring major artworks out of storage and into regional communities across Australia. The program funds the transport, installation and insurance of national collection pieces so they can be exhibited far beyond Canberra.Created in the 1930s while Boyd lived with his grandfather at Port Phillip Bay, the artworks help fill an important gap in Bundanon’s own archive of Boyd’s life and legacy. The museum will present them in two parts, focusing on the artist’s early development and the beginnings of his lifelong engagement with landscape, family and identity.Bundanon - gifted to the nation by Boyd and his wife Yvonne - continues to serve as a leading cultural institution, hosting residencies, education programs, exhibitions and performances on its Shoalhaven River property. Arts Minister Tony Burke said the return of the works honours this legacy while making the national collection more accessible.“At any point, 98 per cent of our national collection is held in storage,” Burke said. “The national collection belongs to the entire nation, not just to Canberra, and I’m glad to see these works back in such a special place.”Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips echoed the excitement, emphasising how meaningful the exhibition will be for the region. “This is a rare opportunity to see Arthur Boyd’s works back here in Shoalhaven - a place that inspired so many of his paintings,” she said. “Bundanon is a place of local and national pride, and I hope everyone takes this chance to visit.”National Gallery of Australia director Dr Nick Mitzevich said the loan strengthens the cultural connection between Boyd’s legacy and the landscape that shaped him. Bundanon CEO Rachel Kent added that the museum is “delighted” to feature the works in its new exhibition, The Hidden Line: Art of the Boyd Women, where visitors will see portraits of key women in Boyd’s life.The Sharing the National Collection program is part of Revive, Australia’s national cultural policy, with $11.8 million dedicated over four years to sharing art with communities nationwide.

Art and play come together in Material Matters, an engaging new exhibition by South Coast artists Robyn Sharp and Perrie Croshaw.Exhibition opening November 15 - photo Bellinda DunnThe exhibition brings together nature-inspired art and handcrafted pieces in a celebration of textures, care, and connection, featuring knitted, crocheted and tapestry wearables, and toys, displayed alongside vibrant artworks that celebrate the natural beauty of our local area.Visitors at the exhibition opening viewing the handcrafted works - Photo Bellinda DunnExploring the creative process as both expression and connection, the two artists draw inspiration from musician and artist Brian Eno’s words, “play is how children learn. Art is how adults play.”In that spirit, Material Matters invites audiences to rediscover the joy of making and the beauty that can be found in everyday materials."We could say that art is one of the key attributes of being human, like language," says Eno in his new book What Art Does.Artist Robyn Sharp at the official opening Saturday 15 November - photo Bellinda DunnSharp, a National Art School graduate with a degree in Art History, has exhibited in Sydney, California, Toronto and London.She runs a private gallery in Foxground, where she continues to explore her love of landscape and form.Her recent works delve into the ever-changing landscape around her through different media, including painting, drawing and sculpture.Guests at the opening of the exhibition November 15 - Photo Bellinda DunnCroshaw, a former journalist and tourism entrepreneur, has returned to her creative roots in retirement, designing vibrant, playful textiles that merge artistry with craftsmanship, designing knits, tapestry and crochet works.Artist Perrie Croshaw at the official opening November 15 - photo Bellinda DunnSharp and Croshaw invite visitors to experience the art of simply playing through their works at the Gerringong Library and Museum (GLaM) Gallery from Friday 14 to Thursday 27 November.The exhibition is open from 10am-5pm from Tuesdays to Saturdays.Exhibition opening - photo Bellinda DunnExhibition opening - photo Bellinda DunnExhibition opening - photo Bellinda Dunn

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.

The hum of conversation and clink of wine glasses provided the perfect backdrop for Tides & Textures, the latest exhibition by Illawarra artist Nicky Lett, launched at Cin Cin Restaurant & Wine Bar on Thursday 6 November. With a welcome from owner and host Michael Bowden of Cin Cin’s and Michelle Springett for Expressive Art Trail, Nicky shared her journey with art patrons. Born in Rotorua, New Zealand, and now based locally, Lett draws on her lifelong connection with the sea to create vivid, layered works that shimmer with movement and emotion. Her paintings blend acrylic and oil, collage and texture, to build abstract seascapes and playful glimpses of life both above and beneath the waves.Michelle Springett of Expressive Art, Michael Bowden of Cin Cin's and artist Nicky LettEach piece invites the viewer to look deeper - to discover the stories, families and fleeting moments that emerge as colour and form shift across the canvas. Lett describes her process as intuitive and therapeutic, particularly as she lives with Multiple Sclerosis, finding grounding and joy through paint and mark making.The result is an exhibition that captures not only the look of the ocean but its rhythm and spirit. Tides & Textures transforms Cin Cin’s walls into a celebration of colour, connection and storytelling - a reminder of how deeply the sea shapes life along our coast.Tides & Textures on now - part of the Expressive Art Trail By Nicky Lett At Cin Cin Restaurant & Wine Bar, Kiama

Local artist and designer Emma Veiga-Malta has had a busy few weeks - selling six pieces, welcoming more than 200 visitors and filling Kiama’s Old Fire Station with colour, energy and conversation.Her exhibition, which wraps up on Wednesday, features three distinct collections - blue and white ceramic-inspired works, bold abstract florals and expressive nude life sketches - each reflecting the breadth of her 27-year creative career.“Sales were looking a bit bleak at first,” she laughed, “but the weekend changed everything.”Emma's sketchbook: Supplied by The BugleVeiga-Malta’s creative journey began early.“My earliest memory is lying on the floor with my dad as he drew a bus with my name on it. One minute it was blank cardboard, and the next, magic - that’s when I fell in love with art.”After years running her own design business, she decided to “create for herself again”, hosting her first solo show at Gerringong Library and Museum (GLaM) last year.Blue and white paintings: Supplied by The BugleNow based in Gerringong, she’s deeply involved in the local art community - a member of several societies and vice-president of the Shellharbour City Art Society.She’s also the founder of the Creative Business Summit, a conference she launched to help creatives learn how to turn their passions into sustainable careers.“There’s so much creative talent, but not enough education on the business side,” she explained.“So I decided to build something by creatives, for creatives.”For Veiga-Malta, the heart of it all is community.“Nothing beats in-person connection. People are craving it more than ever,” she said.Mini flower painting: Supplied by The Bugle“That’s the best part - meeting people, sharing stories, and creating together.”

On Saturday, 8 November, Cin Cin Wine Bar, Expressive Art Experience, and the Expressive Art Wall Trail are joining forces for the next edition of their Corks and Canvases art experience.A playful twist on the popular paint and sip concept, this event will make the most of Cin Cin’s Wall Trail - a beloved feature of the bar.“It all starts with the Wall Trail… The old Art Bar installed tracks for hanging art and rotating artists on their walls - Cin Cin has continued this tradition,” said Expressive Art Experience owner Michelle Springett.Michelle, together with her daughter Tiffany Springett, now manages the Wall Trail, helping local artists exhibit and sell their work at venues across the Illawarra.In November and December, local artist Nicky Lett will take over the walls with her exhibition Tides and Textures, a collection that captures the spirit of the sea through vibrant abstracts, expressive seascapes, and underwater scenes.The Corks and Canvases evening will draw inspiration from Nicky’s art.“We’ll be painting works inspired by Nicky’s amazing underwater art,” said Michelle.“Paint and sip events are always a lot of fun - lighthearted, creative, and social. This one felt like a perfect fit: Corks for the wine, and Canvases for the painting - a little twist to set it apart.”The Corks and Canvases series will run every two months, each session inspired by the artist currently featured on the walls.“Expressive Art Experience is quite unique - every participant paints something different and works at their own pace. It’s a really rewarding and enjoyable experience,” Michelle said.Michelle also believes it’s the perfect way to celebrate the year’s end with friends - combining creativity, community, and great wine.“If you’ve joined an Expressive Art Experience before, we’d love to see you again. And if you haven’t - or think you’re ‘not artistic’ - I challenge you to give it a go. You might just surprise yourself!”“It’s a great way to get the gang together and celebrate the year’s end,” she added.And if wine isn’t your thing? No problem.“It’s not all about the sipping! Once you pick up a paintbrush, the art usually takes over. So if drinking’s not your style, come along anyway - I’ll happily share a cuppa tea with you,” said Michelle with a smile.The Corks and Canvases event takes place on 8 November, and tickets are available now at www.expressiveartexperience.com/events.Don’t miss the opening night of Nicky Lett’s Tides and Textures exhibition at Cin Cin on 6 November.If you’re a local artist interested in exhibiting at Cin Cin Wine Bar, get in touch with Michelle at [email protected].

Morgan Shimeld’s new SEVENMARKS exhibition, Earth and Sky, explores the relationship between the grounded and the infinite - an idea he’s been particularly fascinated with since moving to his home in the Blue Mountains.Shimeld, who has been sculpting since graduating from Sydney College of the Arts in 2000, relocated from Sydney to the Blue Mountains with his family eight years ago. Since then, the natural world surrounding him has become a constant source of inspiration.“When I was living in Sydney, I was more inspired by the built environment,” said Shimeld.“Now, I’m still working with geometric abstraction, but I’m seeing those shapes more in a natural context - like the escarpments, cliffs, gorges and valleys that surround me. Those forms are filtering into the sculptures I create.”This ongoing relationship between the built and the natural, the earth and the sky, the man-made and the ethereal, has become embedded in Shimeld’s practice. It’s most evident in his dual bodies of work: bronze sculptures and wire-based wall installations.“The work I’m showing at SEVENMARKS is a combination of my bronze sculptures and the wall sculptures I also create,” he said.“They both have quite different feels to them, but what's been great about this show is being able to see the creative thread that connects these two styles. This is the first time I’ve deliberately shown both styles together. The gallery space is big and really well-suited to showing a range of work with a bit of space around it.”SEVENMARKS describes these two bodies of work as being in dialogue:“Shimeld fabricates large and medium-scale bronze sculptures alongside delicate wire-based wall works. These contrasting materials are in conversation - the bronze forms evoke weight and permanence, while the wire pieces suggest lift, movement and impermanence - hovering between drawing and object.”Interestingly, Shimeld reflects this duality in his creative process as well, balancing intuition with precision.“There’s a large element of intuition, especially with the wire wall works. I get into a kind of creative zone while forming them. It’s intuitive in terms of knowing when a piece feels finished or balanced,” he said.“I don’t do sketches for my work - I go straight into three-dimensional form, so the intuition is really essential. But there’s also precision in how those forms come together.”Some of Shimeld's work. Photo: SEVENMARKS GalleryShimeld isn’t so much interested in the contrast between different forms or ideas, but rather how they can coexist.“For me, coexistence is about responding to the environment you’re in - being inspired by it and understanding it, especially through a visual language. It’s about allowing both natural and human-made influences to sit together in one space or piece.”That spirit of coexistence carries through into how Shimeld hopes audiences will experience Earth and Sky.“I hope anyone who visits sees something new and different. The wire work, especially, is quite unique - sculptures on walls aren't something people see every day. The shadow play is something people often comment on.“I also hope people get a sense of the warmth and materiality of the bronze too.”Earth and Sky opens on Saturday, 25 October, from 5–7pm at SEVENMARKS Gallery.Tickets are available here. There will also be an Artist Talk featuring Shimeld in conversation with Richard Morecroft on Saturday, 8 November, at 6pm at Silica Restaurant.The exhibition runs until 29 November 2025, and for Shimeld, the show holds a deeper personal resonance - it marks a creative reunion with SEVENMARKS founders Chick and Cobi.“We all went to university together - about 25 years ago now. We’ve all gone off and followed our own creative paths, but we’ve stayed connected,” he said.“We’d been talking about doing something together for a while, and the timing finally felt right. This exhibition is a really special opportunity to bring it all together. They're some of my oldest friends, and it just feels really meaningful to share this moment with them.”

The Daisy Spring Festival drew more than 250 visitors each day to enjoy the local art on display.Held by Expressive Art Experiences at The Old Fire Station from 25 September to 1 October, the second annual festival celebrated creativity and connection.A key part of the event is the painting competition, where everyone paints the same subject and the best artwork wins. Last year it was cows, this year - ducks and chickens.“We decided no one wanted to paint another cow, which is fair enough, and the whole place was filled with ducks and chickens. It was great fun,” said Expressive Art Experiences owner Michelle Springett.“We had over 250 people on average come through every day to vote, which was pretty awesome considering it was just the beginning of the school holidays.”Winners of the category awards included: in the primary school age group, Owynn Naughten with a painting titled The Wise Duck; in the teenage category, Isla Downes (winning for the second year in a row) with Sea-saw and Yo-yo; and in the adult category, Anne Geenen with Henny Penny.(Left) Michelle Springett with the winners and honourable mention prizes from the category awards, (Right) The two winners of the people's choice awards. Photos: Michelle SpringettThe People’s Choice Award was hotly contested.“Two paintings ran neck and neck on the last two days. I ended up just closing it off at three o’clock and calling it a draw. So it was myself and another lady, Catherine Dobson, who is a local artist,” said Springett.“She painted a really cute little rainbow duck, which all the kids voted for. And mine was a quite realistic mallard duck, which all the adults voted for. So it was quite funny. “You’d watch the family come in and the adults would vote for mine, and the kids would vote for Catherine. So yeah, we just split the prize money, split the credit.”But the exhibition wasn’t about the competition, Springett says - it was about bringing the community together in appreciation of art.“It’s all a bit of fun. It brings the community together. People come in, they love the idea of having a theme where everyone paints the same. They spend ages in the actual fire station trying to decide what to vote for,” she said.“They really take a closer look at the art and develop a much deeper appreciation, which is really what we want. We want people to go around and around three or four times before they place their vote.”The winning paintings: (Left) Mal the Mallard duck by Michelle Springett, (Middle, top) Henny Penny by Anne Greenen, (Middle, bottom) Sea-saw and Yo-yo - Isla Downes, (Right, top) Mr Duckleberry by Kathryn Dobson (Right, bottom) The Wise Duck - Owynn Naughten. Photos: Michelle SpringettAlso on offer were drop-in watercolour days where people could simply come and paint, as well as other sessions where participants could buy a canvas and stay as long as they wanted.“And people came back day after day. One girl came back four days in a row. So I think it’s definitely something we need in school holidays,” said Springett.She is very appreciative of The Old Fire Station and the art centre it has become in Kiama.“The Old Fire Station is legendary. There’s no greater feeling than lifting the big timber beam to open the doors and swing them open - and push the cow out. It’s a great space, and people know it as an art space now, so they’re always coming to see what’s in there,” she said.

Author Jeff Apter was born in the 1960s and he always believed the 1950s were a boring and conservative era. But that changed when he began researching Sydney’s post-war entertainment scene for his book about legendary music promoter Lee Gordon.“It turns out that a lot of people - especially in cities like Sydney - were having a really good time. And figures like Lee Gordon and Abe Saffron were central to that scene,” said Apter. “It’s a hidden part of our cultural history that hasn’t really been explored much. There’s so much juicy material there. I had completely misunderstood that era until I started digging into it.”This fascination with Sydney’s colourful underbelly led Apter to team up with fellow author Stuart Coupe, who just happened to be writing a book about Abe Saffron at the same time.“Stuart was working on his book about Abe Saffron, and I was writing mine on Lee Gordon. Because of the overlap in time periods and themes, we ended up sharing quite a bit of information during our research,” said Apter.“Our books explore the 1950s and early 1960s club scene - there’s a hint of the underworld, the entertainment industry, all that. In fact, Lee Gordon actually relied on Abe Saffron for financial backing in his concert promotions.”During his research, Apter even discovered Gordon had a serious falling out with Saffron - one that allegedly forced him to leave town. The crossover between the two men’s lives is just one of the many intriguing connections the authors plan to explore together.Apter and Coupe will appear together at the Kiama Library next Friday (17 October) at 6pm for a live event titled Music, Murder and Mayhem, where they’ll dive into the shady world of post-war Sydney, the enigmatic figures at the centre of it, and how their legacies still resonate.“I’ve just finished reading Stuart’s book, and both Saffron and Gordon shunned the spotlight,” said Apter. “Gordon didn’t like doing press or interviews, and Saffron definitely stayed away from publicity as well. It’s an interesting parallel - both were involved in worlds of celebrity, money and, to some extent, illicit activity. But they preferred to operate in the shadows.” “That said, I think it’s fair to say Gordon was more extroverted by nature.”Apter also reflected on how the entertainment industry - and the role of promoters - has changed drastically since the days of Gordon and Saffron. “It’s totally different. These days it’s all about empire-building and brand status - becoming a Sydney A-lister, acquiring buildings, establishing yourself as a global player,” he said. “Back then, I think the focus was more about providing entertainment, seizing the moment, and getting people through the door for a good time. Yes, Saffron and Gordon were interested in money and power, but it didn’t feel as image-conscious or calculated as it is today.”He notes that today’s music scene is vastly different - not just in attitude, but in logistics. “The landscape has changed so much. Noise complaints, licensing laws and red tape make it really hard to run a successful live venue now. You see them open and close constantly,” he said. “And maybe live music just isn’t the drawcard it once was. There are so many entertainment options now - it’s overwhelming.”If you want to step into the world of post-war Sydney nightlife and hear stories of its most notorious figures, don’t miss this one-night-only event - Music, Murder and Mayhem at Kiama Library on 17 October at 6pm. Tickets are available at the door or online at: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1465258

Local artist Ralph Steel is officially qualified as both a hand-machined compositor and an illustrator.And for those too young to know what a compositor is (like this writer once was), it’s a type of typesetter - specifically, a person in the traditional printing industry who physically assembles individual pieces of metal type, called “sorts,” into lines of text using a composing stick. A true craft, and now, a rarity.Steel started out as an apprentice in the newspaper industry. When his drawing skills were discovered, he was quickly given another creative role.“I was about 16 when I was given the job of airbrushing private parts and hair from photos from Scandinavia for Man and Adam magazine, with a Thayer and Chandler airbrush - which I still have,” Steel recalled with a laugh.From there, he went on to work for Hansen Rubensohn-McCann Erickson, a major international advertising agency, and later at a well-known art studio. His career took further twists: time in the army, corrective services, and rescue work, before settling into a unique printing business in Oak Flats in 1978.“We were doing packaging printing for clients in China, New Zealand, and America. We were pretty unique printers,” he said.“We did confectionery and pet products. We printed for BlueScope (which was BHP at the time), NMM Metals, WIN TV... So we had a pretty good business.”Steel even contributed to National Geographic, and although he officially retired in 2000, he never stopped drawing. In fact, he’s now focused on depicting the thing that inspires him most: Kiama.“I love Kiama. I’ve been here for about 48 years. All my children grew up here and pretty much all still live here.“I was the original captain of the Kiama Downs Surf Club. I just love the place.”Steel creates intricate drawings of historic buildings and significant moments from Kiama’s past - all done with extraordinary detail.Commercial Bank building, Manning Street, Kiama c. 1890. Photo: Ralph SteelIn his artist statement, Steel writes:“In my illustrations of Kiama and the surrounds, I have endeavoured to preserve some of its diverse but fantastic history. My pencil (graphite) sketches of these inanimate objects are not so much a record of that object in isolation, but a review of its relationship with all those whom it has had an influence …”He’s passionate about preserving local history - and making sure it’s not forgotten.“Most people wouldn’t know about the Brighton Hotel or the Ice Works - but they were here. The Ice Works building still stands.Ice Factory & cold storage, wharf & warehouse. c. 1868. Photo: Ralph Steel“I just think it’s important that we remember what people have done.”Steel regularly shares his work on the Kiama Remembers Facebook page, but his ultimate goal is to publish a coffee table book of his illustrations.“I’d like to put together a book with all the drawings and sketches, but get the Historical Society to write the story behind each one,” he said.Given how detailed his work is, some of his drawings can take months to complete - which makes the idea of a public exhibition or a printed collection all the more valuable to the Kiama community.Most recently, Steel designed the Kiama Rugby plaque that was gifted to the club by the Kiama Men’s Shed. It’s another example of his ongoing contribution to the town he calls home.Ralph Steel is a Kiama man through and through - and his mission is clear:“We must remember those who came before us and what they did in the places we now live.”

Kiama’s Joyce Wheatley Centre will soon host a unique five-week program that blends art, nature, and wellbeing - offering locals a chance to reconnect with creativity, community and the calming power of the natural world.Art and Wellbeing in Nature is a series of plain-air workshops designed to promote mental health, social connection and creative expression through nature-inspired art-making. Running each Friday morning from 10am to 12pm, starting 3 October and continuing through until the end of the month, the workshops will be led by award-winning artist, illustrator and art therapist Sally Ann Conwell.Participants will be guided through a series of hands-on art activities outdoors, with the beautiful Kiama surrounds as both inspiration and setting. The sessions will explore how creating art in nature can help build resilience, foster mindfulness, and bring people together in shared creative experience.“This program is about more than just making art,” said Conwell. “It’s about slowing down, connecting to the environment around us, and rediscovering the joy of creating - together.“Nature has an incredible ability to ground us, and art helps us express what we often can’t put into words.”The artworks created throughout the program will be transformed into large-scale decals, which will be installed on public bin enclosures around the community - turning everyday public spaces into canvases for local expression and shared stories.Workshops are sold out, but if you are interested you can apply to be on the waitlist here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1461181.

Kiama’s waterfront has been transformed into an open-air gallery, with 20 striking outdoor sculptures on display from Hindmarsh Park to the harbour until October 15.Thanks to ArtPark Australia, locals and visitors can wander through an eclectic mix of bronze, stainless steel and Corten steel creations, each a contemporary talking point designed for gardens and public spaces.Among the many people appreciating the works in a unique way is local photographer Darren Parlett, who has lived in Kiama for nearly four decades.On a whim one recent morning, during a hectic week of rehearsals for a stage show at Wollongong’s Phoenix Theatre, Parlett grabbed his camera phone and headed to the foreshore at sunrise.“It was a seemingly perfect morning,” he told The Bugle.“There was plenty of cloud about, but that helped create these spectacular backdrops. I tried to position each sculpture so the light and colours played into the shot.”The resulting images are as much about Kiama’s landscape as they are about the art itself.They join a growing portfolio of local landscapes Darren has been compiling, including aerial drone shots of Kiama Harbour.One of those harbour photos will feature in his upcoming calendar, due to be released on October 31.Photography became a passion for Parlett nearly 20 years ago, sparked by an unlikely experience: a ghost tour at Picton.“Every time you take a photo, you’re actually telling a story. It’s capturing history, a moment in time,” he said.But his creative streak extends well beyond the camera. Since the early 1990s he has been involved with the Roo Theatre Company in Shellharbour.He encourages others to give acting a try.“You don’t have to be a NIDA graduate to participate,” he said. “All you need to do is touch base and ask about the acting classes.”He has also found himself in front of the cameras as a film and television extra, including an extra’s role alongside Pamela Anderson in Place to Be, a part in ABC’s Return to Paradise, and most recently, in a thriller dark comedy called Fangs, starring Joel Edgerton, due for release next year.

Sevenmarks Gallery is hosting a significant exhibition titled Guyurrmirr dhimurru-makarr djalatha gapu bur'nap monuk lik (Going to the Southeast Saltwater), a collaboration with artists from Ramingining, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.The exhibition runs until 11 October and is the second collaboration between Sevenmarks and Bula’Bula Arts, building off of last year's successful showcase. This year the exhibition is shifting from weaving to traditional and contemporary painted stories and new works by emerging Yolŋu artists from Bula’Bula Arts.One of the Sevenmarks directors, Cobi Cockburn, explains that what makes this exhibition special is the cultural exchange it facilitates. There will be three artists coming over from Arnhem Land as well as the Bula’bula Arts Manager, Mel George, where they will be ‘sharing culture across saltwater and land’.“It's my understanding that two of those people have never even left Arnhem Land," she said.“The works that we have here within the gallery are very indicative of their landscape and their environment.”The gallery has organised an extensive programme of free community events, including workshops for local primary schools, an opening event, a public talk about life in Arnhem Land, and a public hands on workshop.“We wanted to remove finances out of it...from an exchange of knowledge and an exchange of communication and cultural awareness, we really tried hard to make that free for Kiama,” Cobi said.Cobi explains how the exhibition will address a gap in Kiama’s cultural offerings, having raised four children, she stresses the importance of cultural engagement and communication at an early age.“We don't have many offerings, we don't have a cinema…so with arts and culture in here, I kind of go, how can we engage the younger crowd? And how can we also show them about First Nations people,” she said.“If we don't bring those storytellings in and those experiences in, and we don't integrate them at an early level, then I think it probably remains a separate entity. And I'd love it to not be a separate entity.”The exhibition's opening event is being held Saturday 13 September from 5pm-7pm, featuring a Welcome to Country by Gumaraa, artworks by the visiting artists and the artists themselves, and Silica is providing canapés alongside local beers and wines.A public talk ‘Life in Arnhem Land’, with Bula'Bula Arts Manager Mel George is being held on Sunday 14 September from 11am-12pm, followed by a hands-on public workshop on Tuesday 16 September from 2pm-3:30pm.More information and tickets for the events can be found on Sevenmarks Gallery website.SEVENMARKS Gallery is open to the public each Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm, or by appointment. Exhibition entry is free.

There’s a quiet revolution sweeping across the country. People from all walks of life, young and old, male and female are picking up knitting needles, crochet hooks - creating all kinds of garments, toys, home accessories, and even art pieces from yarn. They are joining online and local groups or just working on their own, becoming totally engrossed in a creative yarn journey.Knitting, crochet and spinning and weaving are so distinctively removed from our uber-digital, technological 21st century world that this journey could be seen as anti-consumerism and even subversive when yarn-bombing activities are involved. But it has been well established that the involvement in these old traditional yarn crafts reduces stress and anxiety, improves dexterity and fine motor skills, and encourages creativity and self expression not always found in the digital world. So, in essence, it’s just the right kind of revolution.To help save the planet, eco-friendly yarns can be sourced and old patterns redesigned. As added bonuses, yarn can be recycled and old garments can be easily up-cycled. Finally, joining a yarn craft group - whether local or online - can foster community cohesion (you get to share your fun with your neighbours) and put a smile on the faces of the recipients of your wonderful creations. If you are not already a part of this revolution, there are a number of groups in around Kiama to consider. Kiama and Gerringong libraries have monthly Knit and Chat groups (contact Boni Maywald 0424 641 663) and a weekly Creative Crafts group meets at the Uniting Church on Monday mornings, as well as a monthly craft group run by Jamberoo Red Cross (contact Barb Adams 0422 206 555). A Spinners and Weavers group is also held at The Coachhouse on Tuesday mornings (contact Marie Carr 0408 977 414). If crochet is your thing and you are prepared to travel a little further afield, there is a very active Wollongong Crochet Club.

A compelling new exhibition, Between Dreams and Truth, featuring work from four local artists, will be on display at the Old Fire Station from September 5-10 - and it’s one not to miss.Artists Jenny Albanis, Claire Donaghy, Christina Murphy, and Hannah Gray of Hub Ceramics have come together to present a diverse and inspiring body of work.“I've always loved painting, ever since I was a kid,” said Albanis. “But it wasn’t until I retired that I was able to take it up more seriously.”She describes each artist's unique style and contribution to the exhibition.“Claire Donaghy has a very painterly style. She’s been painting for quite a while, and her work is vibrant and colourful - ranging from still lifes and landscapes to portraits of beautiful women with gorgeous floral headdresses.“Christina Murphy, also a Kiama local, paints in a realistic style. She often focuses on landscapes and flowers, inspired by her incredible garden.”“And then there's Hannah Gray of Hub Ceramics, who creates stunning, practical ceramics - the kind of pieces you’d love to use in your home every day.”Albanis explains that the exhibition brings together both realistic and dreamlike works, offering a rich mix of artistic approaches.“I tend to paint quite realistically, with fine detail. Claire, on the other hand, takes a reference and transforms it - her work is looser, more expressive,” said Albanis.“Christina explores contrasts, like edible fruits alongside poisonous plants, highlighting how both can be beautiful in different ways. She also paints fantasy-inspired scenes - like women in metal plate armour with wings.”Despite the realism in her own work, Albanis says her creative process is deeply meditative - another layer in the contrast suggested by the exhibition’s title.“For me, painting is something immersive. I’ll look at the same object for weeks, painting and thinking I know it - then suddenly, I’ll notice something new I hadn’t seen before.”“I go into quite a dreamy state. It’s almost meditative. I paint a lot of reflections - especially silver reflections - where a flower, for example, is echoed subtly in the surface. It’s those little discoveries that keep me going.”The exhibition will be at the Old Fire Station from September 5-10.

The Land, Ocean and Home art exhibition at The Old Fire Station wraps up on Thursday, offering visitors a rich, international celebration of art, nature, and personal storytelling.The exhibition featured the works of three artists: Arja Välimäki from Finland, Magdalena Pillai, and Brigita Hammell from what was formerly Czechoslovakia. Though their styles and mediums were vastly different, each artist brought a unique interpretation to the themes of land, ocean, and home.Arja Välimäki explored the theme of ocean through vibrant, dreamlike seascapes. Her relationship with the sea is deeply personal - and rooted in both trauma and transformation.“I come from Finland, which has 100,000 lakes, so I learned to swim quite young,” she said.“But I actually had an accident in the ocean where I stepped on a stingray. It went right through my big toe tendon - I was in a lot of pain.“After that, I decided to put my energy into art, and over time I transformed that painful, strange experience into something positive - a love for the ocean through painting.”Her seascapes resonated strongly with local surfers and scuba divers who saw their own connections to the ocean reflected in her work.Brigita Hammell focused on the idea of home, drawing inspiration from her roots in Czechoslovakia. Her paintings and sculptures delve into the meaning of family, belonging, and the safety of familiar surroundings.“I've called the exhibition Home because it’s all about appreciation - of home, family, your surroundings, and the feeling of safety,” said Hammell.She added that she prefers to let her artwork speak for itself.“They have strong images - they talk for themselves,” she said.“I do love naming them; they’ve got quite distinctive titles. I like to paint in a surrealist sort of way, and I think the images say what I’m trying to express better than I can explain in words.”Magdalena Pillai represented land with her handcrafted jewellery, inspired by the fluid, asymmetrical forms found in nature.“I’ve been doing this for about 23 years now,” said Pillai. “I moved to Kiama 15 years ago, and most of my work is inspired by the variety of natural landscapes on the South Coast.”Her jewellery pieces, made from sustainably recycled sterling silver and mixed metals, reflect a deep connection with the environment - both in design and practice.The exhibition ran from 7–13 August, and while it may have ended, the work of these three talented artists continues online. You can explore more through their websites: Arja Välimäki, Magdalena Pillai, Brigita Hammell.

As the buzz begins to settle following the Orry-Kelly: Dressing Hollywood Gala on the evening of July 26 at The Sebel Kiama, one unforgettable highlight stands out - a special virtual appearance from Oscar-winning designer Catherine Martin.While it’s well known that Orry-Kelly held the record for the most Academy Awards won by an Australian for decades (three Oscars for costume design), that title was surpassed in 2013 by none other than Catherine Martin, who now holds four.Martin - the long-time collaborator and wife of renowned Australian director Baz Luhrmann - has earned international acclaim for her work on films such as Strictly Ballroom, Moulin Rouge!, Australia, The Great Gatsby, and Elvis, with both production and costume design credits to her name. She also served as production designer on Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet.In a pre-recorded video message played during the gala, Martin expressed her regret at not being able to attend in person.“I'm very disappointed not to be in Kiama tonight with you to celebrate the extraordinary life and work of Orry-Kelly,” she began.She went on to share how she and Luhrmann first discovered Orry-Kelly’s story while guest-editing an early 1990s issue of Australian Vogue.“One of the central stories tracked his life from Kiama to the glittering lights of Hollywood. He was well known for being able to handle the biggest of divas - even one of my all-time favourite actresses, Bette Davis. He was her favourite costumier,” she said.“He fits into a wonderful performing arts pantheon of greats that we have here in Australia, and it's wonderful to see him being celebrated in his own hometown.”Joining Martin in paying tribute on the night were director Gillian Armstrong, producer Damien Parer, playwright Catherine Thomson, and costume designer Wendy Cork.The evening was a heartfelt celebration of Australian film, honouring the legends - past and present - who have shaped its identity on the world stage.

Folk By The Sea organisers have added a charity preview concert at Kiama Leagues Club auditorium on September 11 to launch this year’s festival.Folk By The Sea officially kicks off on Friday, September 12 at Kiama Showground Pavilion with a line-up including some of Australia’s leading Folk, Country, Celtic and Bluegrass artists.But music fans will be able to get a taste of what’s to come over the weekend at the Thursday night charity preview show featuring Bluegrass bands Charley Castles and The Boys in the Well, Kiama’s own The Water Runners, local folk duo Square Pegs and South Coast Indie-Folk artist Kane Calcite, as well as a performance from Kiama High School students to start the night at 7pm.Entry is by donation, with all proceeds going to Lifeline South Coast.Festival director Neil McCann said the preview show was a chance for people who hadn’t attended Folk By The Sea in previous years to come along to a free night of music and get an idea of what Folk By The Sea is all about.“We’re hoping this show will really ‘sell’ the festival to people who may not have been to a folk festival before,” he said. “They’ll see three of the festival’s main acts, as well as a performance from Kiama High School students, and hopefully they will want to come along to the main festival over the weekend.”The Folk By The Sea program has been finalised, with 40 acts and 100 concerts over the weekend. The main festival program gets underway at 5pm on Friday with the Kiama Sea Shanty Club performing on the Pavilion verandah, then at 6pm The Humbuckin’ Pickups take to the main stage in The Pavilion.Things really start to warm up after the official opening and Welcome to Country, with Victorian multi-Golden Guitar-winning Americana duo The Weeping Willows taking to the stage at 7.30pm.They will be followed by celebrated Indigenous performer Jessie Lloyd at 8.25pm and Solomon Islands singer Charles Maimarosia at 9.20pm. Charley Castles and her Boys In The Well will round out the night with some foot-stomping Bluegrass from 10.20pm.There will be two other venues operating with multiple performances at the Showground Pavilion throughout Friday night, while the nearby Kiama Uniting Church Hall will feature a Bush Dance at 8pm with the Southern Cross Bush Band.Kane Calcite.Saturday’s packed program kicks off at 9am, with headliner Darren Coggan sure to attract a big crowd at his only show at 9pm, which will wind up the day on the main stage.A multiple Golden Guitar winner from Tamworth’s Country Music Festival with a large catalogue of original songs, Coggan has also famously toured shows in which he performs the songs of some of the late 20th century’s most popular singer-songwriters, including John Lennon & Paul McCartney, Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Glen Campbell and John Denver.A popular Folk By The Sea tradition, Sirens of the Sea which features acoustic performances by many of the festival’s main female acts, will be held on Saturday afternoon at 2.45pm at the Anglican Hall. This year’s Sirens concert will feature Ally Row, Charley Castles, Chloe Roweth, Fly Little Sparrow, Jessie Lloyd, Karen Law, Oceanique and The Weeping Willows.Sunday’s program again gets underway early, featuring acts like The Weeping Willows (9.30am), The Water Runners (12.05pm) and Jessie Lloyd (1pm).The festival will wrap with another free concert on Sunday night at Kiama Bowling Club from 5.30pm featuring the Kiama Blowhole Buskers, Graeme “The Scotsman” McColgan, Marco and Rusty, Rhys Crimmin and Slippery John Sausage and The Swamper Domper Bayou Boys.The full program and ticket information is available on the festival website folkbythesea.com.au.FOLK BY THE SEA ARTISTS LIST: Alex Randles (ACT), Ally Row (VIC), Balkan Boogie, Charles Maimarosia (VIC), Charley Castles and the Boys In The Well, Chloe and Jason Roweth, Darren Coggan, Fly Little Sparrow (QLD/NSW), Grace Barr, Graeme ‘The Scotsman’ McColgan, Hand Over Hammer (VIC), Good Tunes, Humbuckin' Pickups, Jessie Lloyd’s Sing on Country, Kane Calcite, Karen Law (QLD), Kiama Blowhole Buskers, Kiama Pipe Band, Kiama Sea Shanty, Louzco Fouzco, Marco and Rusty, Noel Gardner and Alex Bridge (QLD), Oceanique (VIC), Oliver Roweth, Robyn Sykes, Rhys Crimmin (VIC), Russell Hannah, Sam Fletcher Trio, Scupriri, Slippery John Sausage and his Bayou Boys, Southern Cross Bush Band, Square Pegs, Stonybroke, The Butter Trackers, The Con Artists, The Lofty Mountain Band (SA), The Water Runners, The Weeping Willows (VIC), Whistle, Wood n' Hide.

At the conclusion of her speech during the unveiling of the NSW Blue Plaque commemorating Orry-Kelly, Australian director Gillian Armstrong turned to Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald and said with a smile, “And Mr Mayor, Orry-Kelly Boulevard has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”The mood at The Sebel’s Assembly Room this morning was one of celebration and long-overdue recognition. Armstrong was joined by Sarah Kaine, Labor representative for Kiama, along with Kiama Historical Society President Sue Eggins, to unveil the plaque honouring one of Australia’s most accomplished yet often overlooked talents.The ceremony began with a Welcome to Country delivered by Councillor Stuart Larkins. Kaine then addressed the audience, offering insight into the NSW Government’s Blue Plaque program.“First of all, I don’t know what’s happening in Kiama, but this is the second Blue Plaque we’ve unveiled in two years,” Kaine said. “I think there’s something special going on here - Kiama punches above its weight. And of course, there’s a fabulous and very active historical society.”“The Blue Plaque program recognises people, events and stories of significance that have had an impact on New South Wales. That’s why we’ve already acknowledged Charmian Clift, and today, it’s only fitting we honour Orry-Kelly.”Kaine then welcomed Gillian Armstrong to speak. A film icon in her own right, Armstrong directed My Brilliant Career, Little Women, and the documentary on Orry-Kelly titled Women He’s Undressed.“When he died, Jack Warner of Warner Bros. read the eulogy at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Beverly Hills,” Armstrong recalled. “The funeral was attended by Hollywood stars like Cary Grant, Tony Curtis and George Cukor. In the U.S., his death mattered - covered by the LA Times, New York Times, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter.”Orry-Kelly's Blue Plaque“But in Australia, when we went searching, we found just a couple of lines - one in one paper, one in another - under the headline, ‘Costume Designer Dies of Cancer.’ So why has it taken so long for his home country to recognise his talent and achievements? Perhaps it’s because we celebrate fast runners, golfers, tennis players... but not costume designers?”Armstrong closed her speech by referencing the final lines in Orry-Kelly’s memoir, where he imagines skipping a stone across the water all the way back to his hometown of Kiama.It feels especially poetic, then, that Kiama has finally honoured one of its own - with a Blue Plaque placed outside his former school, which could aptly be described as being “round as a stone.”For today only, an exhibition located just behind the new Blue Plaque in The Sebel Assembly Room showcases some of Orry-Kelly’s work and details about his life. Entry is $10 and it is magnificent!