The Port MacDonnell Community Complex welcomes nine talented Limestone Coast artists into its newly upgraded gallery as part of its first collaborative ‘Coastal Life’ exhibition of the year.
The exhibition showcases the districts unique coastal environment delivered in a variety of mediums including photography, colourful mosaics, sea kelp creations, bright paintings on canvas’ and surfboards, clever ghost rope works, and driftwood sculptures and furniture.
Mayor Kylie Boston said council welcomed established and emerging artists to share their creative works in the recently renovated gallery.
“We have many wonderfully talented people within our community and it is great we, as a council, can help support them and provide a platform to showcase what they love,” she said.
“It is also great to see our districts coastal beauty being promoted through art in such a unique way. Council looks forward to seeing more people within the creative space utilise the complex’s modernised facility and introducing more locals and visitors to our regional art collections.”
The ‘Coastal Life’ exhibition features creatives Wendy Carne, Charlie Furr, Jeremy Ievins, Kai Ievins, Kirsty Ievins, Matilda Jones, John Magarey, Shelley Matiu and Sue Van Der Veen
Council’s Growth and Tourism Manager Rebecca Perkin said the collaborative exhibition hopes to engage and inspire people by sharing local stories of the district through art form.
“The complex is delighted to be showcasing impressive pieces by creatives who live, work and play in our region,” she said.
“Our new coordinator Emma has done an amazing job of curating this collection of ocean-inspired works for this exhibition.
“The ‘Coastal Life’ exhibition takes visitors on a unique visual tour of our beautiful, rugged coastline through the lens of local creatives. We encourage community members and visitors to explore the artworks and discover new perspectives on our coastal surrounds.”
In December 2023 the council unveiled the enhanced gallery after $70,000 was invested towards the facility upgrades.
Renovations resulted in increased display capacity, and improved acoustics and exhibition lighting to allow a greater range of works to be shown.
Artist and Nene Valley resident John Magarey said it was a fitting way to start the year in a recently upgraded space with a diverse range of interesting art styles inspired by the ever-changing coast.
“The ‘Coastal Life’ exhibition has demonstrated our location to be an inspiring environment and community with much talent,” he said.
“This is confirmed through the different mediums of photography, painting, sculpture and mosaics, harnessing inspiration and resources – some recycled from our coast.
“I use driftwood found on our local beaches to make different pieces of artwork (hence my hobby cards titled “Flotsam and Thensome”).
“The most popular of my creations would be my fish and pieces of furniture. My favourite is a large driftwood copy of the Cutty Sark on the front of a shack in the township of Nene Valley.”
The ‘Coastal Life’ exhibition is currently on display until March 31.
Community members and visitors are welcome to view the local artworks for free during the Port MacDonnell Community Complex’s opening hours of Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm and Saturday to Sunday between 11am and 3pm.
