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BUILDER ANNOUNCED FOR NAROOMA ARTS CENTRE

Woohoo! The Narooma School of Arts can now announce that Zauner Construction Pty Ltd has been engaged to build the Narooma Arts Centre for the Narooma community.

To all our members and subscribers, you will know this has been a long process and to finally be at this point is a cause of celebration for the hard work and effort of the various committees, members and volunteers who have dedicated many hours up to this point.

Zauner Construction has built many projects on the NSW south coast, spanning from Eden to Sydney, and we are delighted that they will be delivering this amazing project in the heart of Narooma.

“We’re very excited to be entrusted with the construction of this project which we’ve been following closely over the last four years.” said Zauner’s South Coast Construction Manager Adrien Clements. “It’s long overdue infrastructure for the Narooma community. I congratulate Takt Studio for Architecture on their design.”

NSoA President Jenni Bourke said the news “…is still sinking in. It means the community’s wonderful and long-held vision for Narooma will actually become a reality. That is really exciting.”

She went on to say that “the NAC Project is unique in that it is totally a community initiative on community-owned land held and managed by the NSoA on behalf of our community.”

Work is scheduled to start in late May 2025 and be completed in late March 2026.

The NAC Project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund. It is project managed by NSW Public Works.

Council retaining wall

Many people have been watching with interest as the new retaining wall goes up on the northern side of the car park next to the Kinema.  This work is been done to reduce the Council’s encroachment on School of Arts’ land.

It is in the final stages of completion and we are happy with the new structure that the Council has put in place. The big faceted concrete blocks give a little nod to brutalism and it looks solid enough to last the next 100 years. Our thanks to the Council team for keeping to their proposed deadline, all in time for the new NAC build.

NAROOMA GALLERY

We will soon be farewelling our little Narooma Gallery. This building was converted to the SoArt Gallery in 2011, prior to that it was leased by Narooma Motors. In 2022 we rebranded it to the Narooma Gallery and registered this trading name. 

We have had great exhibitions there over the years and now it is time to make room for the new Narooma Gallery as part of the Narooma Arts Centre. To mark this we are hosting a very short exhibition to showcase the new building displaying plans and the architects model of the Centre.

Gallery open: Friday 23 May 4 - 8pm | Sat 24 May 10am - 4pm

An informal ‘opening’ event will take place from 5.30pm on Friday 23 May.

Come along and join us for a drink and nibbles.

Join the Narooma School of Arts

Are you a lapsed member or never been a member? Now is the time to join the Narooma School of Arts and stay connected as we embark on our new capital works.

Membership is a keystone of the Narooma School of Arts purpose. Your support contributes to the ongoing life of this community organisation. Develop your connection to the arts and be a part of the new Arts Centre by joining now.

New Membership $31 - $30 annual fee and a $1 joining fee.

Membership renewal $30

Fill in your membership form here.

Not ready to be a member? You can participate by making a donation. Donations go to the NSoA Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) Fund and a tax invoice is provided. Click on the images below to go to our Donation webpage.

WORKSHOPS / EVENTS

Arts Talk - Dobell Drawing Prize #23

This month our Arts Talk topic is the Dobell Drawing Prize and it will take place at SECCA Gallery in Bega.

DETAILS: Tuesday 27 May @ 10.30am SECCA, Zingel Place, Bega

Member Ann Espinoza will lead this months chat at the gallery and take the group through the exhibition which demonstrates definitively that the art of drawing is alive and thriving in Australia. The Dobell Drawing Prize is an unparalleled celebration of drawing technique and innovation. This National Art School touring exhibition showcases 46 of the 64 finalists from the 2023 Prize and includes Jane Grealey’s winning work.

This is a free event. Register your interest here so we can have an indication of numbers attending.

NSoA Studios and satellite venues:

• Urban Sketchers & Plein Air: NEW 2025 schedule is now up on our webpage here.

• Narooma Historical Society Is presenting an exhibition in the Lighthouse Museum until Sunday 18 May for the National Trust’s Heritage Festival. Their next meeting will be in the NSoA Studios on Sunday 18 May at 2pm. 

NOTICE: Art Room - Narooma

Luke Kelly who owns and runs the Art Room has put a call out to local artists for an opportunity to host your own exhibition at the Art Room (conditions apply)

Dates available: 28 July - 10 August / 11 - 24 August 2025

Email Luke here if you are interested in this opportunity.

Author talk with Samah Sabawi

Author Samah Sabawi discusses her book Cactus Pear for My Beloved, at an Author’s Talk at the Bermagui U3A, Bermagui Men’s Shed Friday 16 May; Moruya Library Monday 19 May; and Cafe Evolve in Bega on Tuesday 18 May.

Join her as she shares the story of her family over the past 100 years, starting in Palestine under British rule and ending in Redland Bay in Queensland.

Samah’s book is a heartfelt memoir celebrating land, history, and family. It tells the story of a boy, born during displacements to a disabled father and illiterate mother, who became a poet and advocate for peaceful resistance in Palestine before fleeing to Australia with his young family.

Bookings: Bermagui on 0408 786 546; Moruya through Eventbrite; Cafe Evolve (02) 64921091

ARTS beyond THE SHIRE

Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2025

There is much to celebrate this month in the arts, not just the exciting news about the NAC. 

The Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prize winners have been announced. Julie Fragar was named the winner of the prestigious Archibald Prize with her work ‘Flagship Mother Multiverse (Justene)’.

The Wynne prize has been awarded to Jude Rea for her work ‘Pre Dawn Sky over Post Botany container terminal’.

And the Sir John Sulman Prize went to John A’Hern for his bold work ‘Sky Painting’.

If you are in Sydney be sure to visit these iconic art prizes and see for yourself the amazing diversity and talent of all the finalists. For more information click here.

The Kinema

The Kinema is Narooma’s much loved independent cinema. They have a fantastic program of new releases, art house and independent films, along with live performances and events. Support the Kinema this autumn and take your family and friends to see a movie in our heritage listed hall.

See the current film program here.