Port Macquarie Art & Craft Centre
227 Oxley Highway
What we do
We offer a wide range of creative activities including art, lapidary, leatherwork, porcelain painting, pottery, silversmithing, spinning, weaving & woodwork.
The Port Macquarie Art & Craft Centre (PMACC) is pleased to announce the election of a new committee at its Annual General Meeting, held on Tuesday, 2 September 2025.
The incoming office bearers and committee members are:
· President – Kevin Carmody (Woodwork Group)
· Vice President – Alan Stephenson (Lapidary Group)
· Treasurer – Kylie Peden (Pottery Group)
· Secretary – Elizabeth (Liz) Aspery (Pottery Group)
· Ordinary Committee Members
Zac Studeman
Dee Jones
Stephen Withnall
OUR GROUPS
ART, PORCELAIN PAINTING, LAPIDARY, LEATHERWORK, POTTERY, SIVERSMITHING, SPINNING, WEAVING, WOODWORK
ART
PORTRAITS This group meets on Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm. A clothed model maintains the same pose for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, while the artists work using their own choice of medium. The group includes beginners through to experienced artists, who will give advice if asked. Bring your own materials.
A fee of $5 cash is required each time you attend in addition to the fees paid to the Centre. This is payment for the model.
Contact: Heather Chettle 0434 611 624
GENERAL ART This is held on Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 to 12 and is for artists who like to “do their own thing”. You can use the Centre as your studio and enjoy the company of others. Some people work from original ideas, others from photographs. Help from experienced members is given if requested.
Contact: Gayl Rovere 0421 319 067
PORCELAIN PAINTING
PORCELAIN PAINTING The Porcelain Painters meet on a Wednesday from 9:00 am- 1:00pm.
Painting & decorating porcelain is an art that has been practiced for hundreds of years. We enjoy spending our time together sharing our combined knowledge of various techniques in painting and decorating all shapes and sizes of porcelain. We encourage any that would like to try this fine art to come and have a go. All paints, brushes and oil are supplied initially to see if this is an art you would like to be involved in.
Contact: Jan Gowen 0429 841 697
LAPIDARY
Lapidary is the shaping, polishing and display of gemstones and semi-precious minerals. We cut and polish gems, semi-precious stones and minerals into jewellery and display pieces. In addition to the Centre fees there is a $5 fee per visit to cover the cost of repairs and replacement of saw blades and grinding wheels.
Contact: Brian Anderson 0418 453 891
LEATHERWORK
The Leatherworkers produce an enormous range of goods such as bags, belts, and hats. Techniques used include braiding, saddle stitching, carving, stamping and molding. New members are welcome and will be taught all of the skills. They may use any of the broad selection of tools belonging to the group. Small pieces of leather are available for purchase as are belt blanks, dyes and seals.
Contact: Kerry Burns 0411 054 627
POTTERY
The Potters meet Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays from 9am to 12:30pm and on Saturdays from 9am until 4.30pm. We will likely trial evening sessions soon. Members share ideas and knowledge, and a variety of methods and styles are used. Different types of clay are supplied at reasonable prices to members. Members fire and glaze their pieces (at cost) in the Centre. We conduct workshops for members throughout the year. New members including those with a small amount of knowledge are always welcome to join us.
Due to popularity our pottery group is now at capacity due to our kiln size. However there is a small waiting list - you are welcome to call us for more information and to join the waiting list. The Pottery group is also endeavoring to secure another kiln so we can increase membership numbers.
Contact: Liz Aspery 0408 279 165
SILVERSMITHING
The Silversmiths meet on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 12 and work on their own projects. They make chains, pendants, rings, earrings, bangles - all types of silver jewellery. A variety of equipment is available, and workshops are held in enamelling, soldering and wire work. No previous experience is required.
A fee of $5 for materials is required each time you attend in addition to the fees paid to the Centre.
Contact: David Currey 0411 273 925
SPINNING
The spinners (and knitters) meet on Mondays from 9:30 to 1:30. Their aim is to further their skills and techniques in as many fibre crafts as possible by sharing ideas and helping others. They have won awards at both local and Sydney shows, and regularly undertake a charity work project.
Contact: Jenny Croft 0400 625 609
WEAVING
The Weavers meet on Fridays from 9:30 to 12:30. This group now includes basket weavers. Both groups are proud to be practising the oldest of all crafts dating back some 6,000 years. Newcomers are welcome as well as experienced weavers. We a few looms, a small library, and all the accessories that weavers need. All you need bring is a lot of patience as you are introduced to this wonderful craft. but beware - weaving can be addictive!
Contact: Mavourna Collits 0429 630 445
WOODWORK
The woodwork room is open each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning from 9.00am to 12.30pm. It is a large well-equipped workshop with a comprehensive range of quality tools and machinery. Members work on their own projects but also enjoy sharing ideas and
techniques in a collegial atmosphere.
Our Woodwork Group requires members to have some experience / basic skills prior to joining the group.
Members should be able to work independently with minimum support and guidance.
For more information contact Max Smith - 0477 110 870
SOME RECENT WORK
ART
Portraits from the Wednesday afternoon sessions.
PORCELAIN PAINTING
Porcelain painters’ hand painted plates and a bud vase.
LAPIDARY
Lapidary work by local members, often using locally fossicked stones to create their gemstone polished and cut pieces.
LEATHERWORK
Hand crafted Leatherwork
POTTERY
The potters' garden and Gregs heads
SILVERSMITHING
Some of the silversmiths' work
SPINNING & KNITTING
The spinners and knitters creating items using raw materials, including dying the yarn.
WEAVING
Shawls hand woven by the Weaving Group
WOODWORK
The woodies made several of these chairs to raise funds for their group.
Biography
ABOUT US
Discover Your Creativity at the Port Macquarie Art & Craft Centre!
Since 1974, we’ve been the heart of arts and crafts in Port Macquarie and the Hastings. Our Centre brings together people of all ages and skill levels who share a love of creativity, learning, and community.
What We Offer
A wide range of arts and craft activities
Friendly groups who share their knowledge and skills
Opportunities to learn, create, and connect
Workshops with guest tutors and community demonstrations
Why Join Us?
Warm, welcoming, supportive atmosphere
Affordable membership fees
Flexibility to join multiple groups
A place to make friends while learning new crafts
Membership & Fees
Try Us Out – 3 trial sessions for just $15
Join – One-off joining fee $5
Annual Membership – $35 single / $55 family (due in July)
Day Fee – $5 per group session you attend
How It Works
We’re a not-for-profit, self-funded organisation
No paid tutors – members generously share their skills
Pottery group requires basic prior experience (available locally in private studios)
Some groups may be operating at capacity and therefore there may be a waiting list - but please dont hesitate to enquire - we would love to meet you.
Interested?
Contact the Co-ordinator of the group you’d like to join and come along—you’ll be welcomed with open arms!
Co-ordinators contact details are listed on this website under each individual art of craft group.
President: Kevin Carmody 0427 331 643
Vice President: Alan Stephenson 0413997171
Secretary: Liz Aspery 0408 279 165
Treasurer: Kylie Peden 0497 979 010
WHAT ARE THE CENTRE FEES?
CENTRE FEES
We are a not-for-profit organization, and are self-funded.
The fees are: $15 for three trial sessions before you join.
A one-off joining fee of $5.00 per member
Annual subscription of $35 ( $55 for a family).
A Centre fee of $5.00 applies for attendance to each session.
Centre fees are paid online.
Members are welcome to attend more than one group, paying the session fee for each group they attend.
IN THE MEDIA
IN THE MEDIA
Grant gives Port Macquarie Art and Craft Centre a safety boost
PORT NEWS September 19, 2025 - By Sis HIGGINS
THE Port Macquarie Art and Craft Centre (PMACC) has received a lifesaving boost, with two new defibrillators purchased through the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Program.
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan, joined members of the Centre this week to celebrate the $2500 grant and tour the vibrant creative hub.
Newly appointed President Kevin Carmody said it was important to acknowledge the support.
“It’s great to have Pat here today to be able to say ‘thanks’ in person, introduce him to some of our members and give him a bit of a tour of the facility,” Mr Carmody said.
Treasurer Kylie Peden noted the added reassurance the defibrillators will bring.
“We have a large number of participants over the age of 60 who come to enjoy the space and take part in the artistic endeavours on offer.
“It’s a popular place, so it’s great to know we now have these heart-starters on hand in case the worst should happen.
“We are a tight knit group and we want everyone to be as safe and cared for as possible.”
The equipment will be shared between PMACC and its neighbour, the Hastings Men’s Shed.
Mr Conaghan said the visit highlighted the strength of the creative community.
“This funding was a great excuse to come and have a sticky-beak at a facility I’ve wanted to check out for some time,” he said.
“It’s one thing to read the list of creative pursuits available on the website, and it’s quite another to see them in action.
“These are the kinds of skills that are passed down through generations, like leatherwork and silversmithing, and it’s great to see them alive and well in our community.”
While he hopes the defibrillators won’t need to be used, Mr Conaghan said they provide vital peace of mind for the Centre’s many members and visitors.
WORLDWIDE SPINNING IN PUBLIC DAY 2025
On Saturday Sept 20th 2025 our 'Spinners' Sylvia, Kerry, and Sue demonstrated the art of turning fibre into yarn, at the Port Macquarie Library.
They demonstrated the use of traditional spinning wheels - and spoke to many interested locals on the day.
HOW TO FIND US
We are located at 227 Oxley Highway.
If you are driving towards town, we are the next driveway after the Douglas Vale Winery.
We are the long white building, which is part of the Oxley Vale Lifelong Learning Centre,
PMACC
Look for the PMACC sign to the LEFT of the driveway.
OVLLC
and the OVLLC sign to the right.
Contact Us
Address
227 Oxley Hwy, Port Macquarie NSW 2444, Australia
Phone
0497979010