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Narooma Arts Centre (NAC)

Where are we up to?

Construction of the new Narooma Arts Centre (NAC) goes to tender in late November.

“We are very excited to be forging ahead with finalising construction plans…,” said Narooma School of Arts spokesperson Jenni Bourke.

“Our Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund grant has now been guaranteed thanks to robust representations made on our behalf by the Member for Eden Monaro Kristy McBain and Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said the Narooma Arts Centre is an example of the Australian and NSW Governments’ commitment to building stronger more resilient regional economies.

“This project highlights how we are supporting the long-term development of regional communities, by ensuring they have the cultural infrastructure and services needed to grow and thrive.

Read the full media release here.

Image top: Model of the NAC, rear view. Image credit: Takt Studio for Architecture

Image below: Member for Eden Monaro Kristy McBain, NSoA President Jenni Bourke and Member for Bega, Dr Stephen Holland at the opening of the River of Arts Prize exhibition.

SAVE THE DATE - 5PM Friday 13 December 

The NSoA 2024 Christmas Party and a special viewing of the design of the new Narooma Arts Centre @ the Narooma Gallery

The NSoA Management Committee invites you to our 2024 Christmas Party, bring a friend and a plate to share.

We will be hosting the party in the Narooma Gallery where we will have a display of the architect’s design alongside information of the features of the new NAC building. Yes, the NAC is becoming a reality, and we want to share the excitement with our members and supporters.

Join us on Friday 5pm 13 December or visit during the exhibition:

Saturday 14 - Monday 16 December  |  Open 10 - 4 

Come and celebrate our little gallery before we embark on our bigger adventure.

NAROOMA GALLERY

Narooma High School Art Exhibition

Thursday 21 Nov - Sunday 1 Dec 2024

The NSoA is proud to host the 2024 this exhibition in its Narooma Gallery which showcases works from students across every year of the high school. It highlights their creativity, encouraging them to share their ideas and vision with our local community.

We invite all our members, subscribers and people of the Narooma community to come to the opening, or visit during opening hours and to support our local youth and their engagement in the arts. Exhibiting original artwork with an audience is fun and builds confidence and, through these experiences opens up the world of the arts.

We are looking for some members to volunteer their time to sit the gallery during the exhibition. If you have any time to volunteer please email Ann Espinoza here.

Exhibition details here

Formed and Fired

Thursday 5 - Sunday 9 December 2024

A group exhibition featuring works by Sel Waddilove, Robyn Bradley, Jenny Hain, Corin Rossouw and Cat Leach.

Every Wednesday, two groups of aspiring adult potters explore their creativity with clay under the guidance of acclaimed potter and teacher, Jenni Bourke. The exhibition brings together their selected works, acknowledging the diversity of the clay medium and showcasing their new skills.

Read more

WORKSHOPS / EVENTS

‘ARTS TALK’

FREE EVENT: 6-7.30PM

TUESDAY 26 NOVEMBER - JEN MALLINSON

The NSoA regularly hosts a chat group to discuss selected artists’ works. For the last Arts Talk in 2024, we have invited artist Jen Mallinson to speak about her work. Mallinson creates large scale sculptures and lives on the Far South Coast of NSW. Since 2009, she has primarily worked with steel, challenging the intrinsic solid nature of this material to create fluid and expressive forms. She has won the Emerging Artist Award for Outdoor Sculpture at Sculpture on Clyde, and the Cox acquisitive prize at Sculpture Bermagui. Her work is included in a number of private international collections.

Join us for the last Arts Talk for 2024 and listen to Jen Mallinson discuss her work and what inspires her.

To join us please register HERE.

Read more here on the Arts Talk page. 

Image: Jen Mallinson, ‘Brain Freeze’, 2021, image courtesy of the artist

NSoA Studios and satellite venues:

If you need a space to do a workshop or a class, contact us to find out more. Other NSoA activities are now taking place at NSoA outposts around town:

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

• Meditation: 9.00-10:15am Wednesdays at the FishTank in the Mid Town Arcade.

• Board and Card Games: 1.00-4:30pm Sundays at the Narooma CWA. If you are interested in this please email for further information.

• Thursday Art Group: 1:00-4:00pm at the Fishing Club. This group meets weekly to make their own work in a joint studio atmosphere. Feel free to pop in and meet the group, and see if you would like to join in.

• Narooma Historical Society: Meets on the third Sunday of the month at 2:00pm in the Narooma School of Arts Cottage. For all inquiries please email.  Upcoming meetings:

  • Friday, 29 November Noon: Christmas lunch at Oyster Farmer’s Daughter TBC

  • Sunday 15 December: No meeting

PRIZE SEASON ON THE NSW FAR SOUTH COAST

Summer approaches and along with it comes the NSW Far South Coast visual arts prizes. Right on the heels of the wonderful River of Art Prize these three art prizes round off an extraordinary focus on the arts. Culture on the NSW Far South Coast is alive and well.

Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award 2024

South East Centre for Contemporary Art - SECCA, has announced the finalists for the 2024 Shirley Hannan National Portrait Award. One of Australia’s richest awards for realistic portraiture, the biennial award celebrates portraiture in memory of the dedicated arts patron and supporter, Shirley Hannan. The $50,000 non-acquisitive award attracts hundreds of entries from many of Australia’s most respected artists.

The exhibition opening and winner announcement is at the free opening event Friday 29 Nov 6 - 8pm. Exhibition continues until Saturday 1 Feb 2025.

Go to the website for full details.

Sculpture Bermagui 2025

Sculpture Bermagui is now accepting entries for the 2025 exhibition. This is the Far South Coast’s signature sculpture prize and each year features a range of established and known artists, alongside new and emerging artists.

Entries can be submitted up to 15 January 2025. Be courageous and bold and submit your entry for the 2025 exhibition. The exhibition runs Saturday 8 - Sunday 16 March 2025.

Go to the website for full details.

Basil Sellers Art Prize 2024

The Basil Sellers Art Prize 2024 will open at the BAS Gallery in Moruya on Friday 6 December. The opening event will announce the winner of the $25,000 Acquisitive Prize and the $5,000 Eurobodalla Prize which honours an outstanding local entry. The exhibition continues Saturday 7 Dec - Saturday 1 Feb 2025.

To find out more and register for attending the (free) opening event click here. 

Four Winds Spring Youth Music Festival

Sunday 24 November 2024 11am - 4pm

Premiering ‘The Bega Shipwreck’

Composed by Paul Dean for the Four Winds Community Orchestra. A collection of professional and emerging young artists performing together will tell the tale of The Bega Shipwreck.

This is a sophisticated and evocative symphonic work whose themes are based on a local story of deep historical significance and relevance. Composer Paul Dean collaborated with local music students and community music leaders along the coast to write this all-abilities orchestral piece.

Visit their website to read more about the day and the premiere of ‘The Bega Shipwreck’.

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.

Become a member and experience the medium of film in this heritage listed building. See the current film program here.

Eurobodalla Council’s Annual Household Chemical Cleanout

Now is the time to do a clean up of your studio. You can take your old or no longer needed chemicals to the Eurobodalla Council’s Annual Household Chemical Cleanout. This free service allows you to drop off and dispose of tricky chemicals - including some not accepted at the shire’s various waste transfer stations.

DATE: Saturday 23 November

TIME: 9am - 4pm

LOCATION: Narooma Library Car Park, Graham Street, Narooma

See full information here.

FACILITIES

Narooma Gallery

The Narooma Gallery is still open and available for your exhibition. Make an application NOW to show your work at the Gallery, a simple and effective space in the heart of south east NSW.

APPLY ONLINE HERE

1 week’s hire: $120 members | $140 Non members

Do you need a space to host a workshop, a weekly gathering or a talk?

The NSoA Studios are available for casual bookings by groups or individuals for arts, cultural and educational activities, as well as specialty workshops.

You can hire our studios - for full hiring information click here. NSoA will provide a Work Health & Safety induction, which is essential for anyone hiring the Studios.

Check out the application form.