APRIL 2026 NEWSLETTER

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Be/Longing

Be/Longing is the inaugural exhibition for the new Narooma Arts Centre.

We invite artists working in any medium to submit a work for consideration. Final day for submissions - Friday 10 May.

Be/Longing invites artists to explore the physical and emotional landscapes of belonging: what it means to feel connected to community, to Country, to place, or to oneself. From the wild coastal edges of our unique environment to the quiet interiors of the self, the exhibition encourages diverse interpretations of what it means to belong.

There is no fee to submit.

The application portal is now open, visit the Be/Longing webpage to read all the details.

🖌️ WE NEED YOUR OLD, USED AND DISCARDED PAINTBRUSHES 🖌️

❓ WHY - A community art project of work made by local primary and high school students, creating a portrait of a member of our community onto the old paintbrush itself.

📏 SIZE: No less than 3 fingers wide to make it easier for students to paint and decorate.

CONDITION OF BRUSHES - It doesn’t matter what state the brushes are in we will take them.

DROP OFF POINT - Donated brushes to be delivered to the Narooma Men’s Shed Tuesdays to Fridays between 10am and 1pm.

🗓️ WHEN - Brushes are needed by Friday 8 MAY.

🤩 RESULT - Decorated brushes will go on show in the NAC, our new community arts centre from mid August. 🥳

NAROOMA ARTS CENTRE BUILD

The NAC Team L - R: Claire Fletcher, Technical Officer; Emma Conley, Volunteers Coordinator; Waratah Lahy, Gallery and Studios Engagement Officer.

As part of our construction funding we have been fortunate to be able to employ a small team, who are workoing with us ahead of the opening until the end of June. The team recently came together in person for the first time, meeting with Petti McInnes and Barb McConchie from the Management Committee to focus on all things NAC operations.

Together, this dedicated team is shaping the foundations of the Narooma Arts Centre - working on our inaugural exhibition program, studio booking system, and public programs. They’re also developing the processes that will support the day-to-day life of the Centre, including inductions, work health and safety, exhibition installation, and a strong volunteer program to help keep the NAC open, welcoming, and community-driven.

You may cross paths with them via our socials or direct email contact, so we thought it was time to put some faces to their names as they help us bring the NAC to life.

Behind the scenes, there’s a great deal of thoughtful work underway. Alongside the Management Committee, the team is working through each step from big-picture planning to the smallest practical steps, to ensure the NAC becomes a thriving, inclusive creative space for our whole community.

ARE YOU ‘1 IN 100’ ?

Have you considered becoming a 1 in 100 Shareholder?
The ‘1 in 100’ Community Share holders are opening the doors of the Narooma Arts Centre to exhibiting artists. Our Community Share investment removes the fee that would otherwise be charged to artists for using the gallery.

Visit our website, and read more about this initiative. There you will find links, what it is for and the benefits to shareholders. There you will find links to the required registration form and the shop page for purchase.

On the webpage we have listed share holders on a scroll bar, so take the time to read them all, there is bound to be someone you know on that list. Shares can be acknowledged as an individual, an individual and their partner, a family or a business.

To all our shareholders, we are excited to let you know we are just shy of 70% of our goal, thank you.

NOTICES

• The next meeting of the Narooma Historical Society Sunday 17 May 2pm. Topic LYnda Ord on the fascinating stories old card collections can tell. Interested? Contact Laurelle Pacey for details.

• The Urban Sketchers and Plein Air Group have their 2026 calendar out. View it 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 and take your family and friends to see a movie in our heritage listed hall.

Next time you are at the Kinema, why not pick up a copy of ‘Narooma School of Arts – connecting, celebrating and inspiring our community’. This book retells the history of this significant community association, written by Laurelle Pacey, and can be purchased directly at the Kinema.

See the current Kinema program here.