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.
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 and Saturdays from 9am to 12:30pm. 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. Our waiting list is closed for now. Pottery is endeavoring to secure another kiln so we can increase membership. Please check for updates from time to time.
Contact: Elke Knebel 0424 771 324
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.
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
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
Our group started in 1974 under the name “Hastings Community Craft Centre”. They raised enough funds to build a tin shed located in Thrumster, then in 1980 moved it to 75 Gordon St Port Macquarie. In the following years they added an extension, fittings, and landscaping. The old blue building served us well for 42 years, but in the end succumbed to flooding, termites and bush rats.
In 2017 then president Mavourna Collits began the process of engaging a local architect to design a large new centre for us complete with 6 workrooms, a beautiful gallery and kitchen and meeting room. The committee then set about applying for a grant to build it. Thanks to our local member, Leslie Williams, we were awarded a grant by NSW Regional Development in 2019. Unfortunately, various delays and then Covid 19 delayed the construction, and building costs soared so much that only part of the building has been completed. We will be applying for a second grant as soon as practicable to add 3 more large studios, kitchen, dining room, and storage room.
In the meantime, we are settling into our new building, welcoming new members, and making plans to incorporate more weekend and evening groups for the benefit of people who work.
President:
Secretary: Heather Chettle 0434 611 624
Treasurer: Gayl Rovere 0421319067
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 each month in advance. Usually this is $20 per month payable on 25th of each month.
Members are welcome to attend more than one group, paying the session fee for each group they attend.
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
+61421319067