Discover the Central Coast’s Arts Trail With Us

Central Coast Arts Trail

The Coast is brimming with incredible artists. From north to south there’s an art trail on the Central Coast you can follow to look, see, experience and purchase art. In our recent issue of Coasties Mag, we met with and learnt the stories of some of the incredible artists of the Central Coast. It was so hard to narrow down this list and arts trail to just a few artists.  We know there are a whole heap more out there that we’d love to hear about and feature.   So if you are an artist, reach out!  Or if you know an artist send us their deets.  You can always email us at [email protected] or reach out on socials  @coastiemag.

Let’s kick off the Central Coast Arts Trail with our cover artist Mat Macready a local artist and designer. Working predominantly out of his home studio he is available for commissions and design work. His work explores surf culture, nature, and escapism. He plays with perception to give the viewer an opportunity to interpret his work in their own way. Mat’s current project involves a goal of painting a mural each week under his house.

“It’s been a great way to refine my skills to paint large scales and explore new and creative techniques.”

Go give Mat a follow to see more of his work at @matmacready

Next cab off the rank is Pete Rush, who rose to fame during the pandemic. He became most well known for his incredible driftwood sculptures that started to pop up all across the Coast during those wild days of isolation. Pete is a man of many talents and an incredible painter: his works are on display at Moochinside, Killcare and the KAB Gallery in Terrigal.

You can connect with Pete here.

Based in Point Clare, you’ll find Jo Stanes’ Paint Station.  From her studio she runs an art school (for kids and adults), teaches fashion illustration, and hosts paint ‘n sips and art parties.  She also does her own large scale works and commissions. Her studio pops with colour and exudes pure creativity.  Connect with Jo  @jostanespaintstation or @jostanesart.

Award-winning and proud Indigenous artist Garry Purchase runs private educational tours and workshops from his Kariong studio. His intricate work is also for sale online. It pushes the boundaries of traditional Aboriginal art by focusing on his personal journey, experiences and social issues. Reach out directly on  [email protected]

Staying down the southern end of the Coast, other galleries worth checking out for both exhibitions and to purchase art include the newly opened Velias Galleria in Ettalong and our very own Gosford Regional Gallery. Winter exhibitions include Shana O’Brien’s Inner Landscapes, Karla Dickens’ Embracing Shadows and The Makers Studio’s Dress Code: Behind the Seams.

RELATED: Welcome to the Coast’s most friendly gallery – Bloomfield Fine Art Gallery Terrigal

Central Coast Artists to watch

As you venture up the Coast, Terrigal is abuzz with galleries, but one of our favourites has to be Bloomfield Fine Art Gallery run by local artist Karen Bloomfield. This is a gallery with a difference; it’s warm and welcoming, and we guarantee you won’t feel awkward or out of place stepping inside. Karen’s own work is on display for purchase,  as well as a showcase of high quality works from a range of local artists. Regular workshops and events are hosted from the gallery, see more at their online home here.

Past Coasties Mag cover artist Grant Molony has public artwork that can be spotted Coast-wide on buildings, in bars, shopping centres, hospitals, schools and more. if you’re a lover of his work, like us, the best news is he does commissions, just reach out at @grantmolony. 

Her art is as bright and bubbly as she is… say hello to Grace Agnes, currently exhibiting and in residence at the Creative Spaces Gallery Container at Toukley.  She was supposed to be finishing up at the end of June, but fabulous news just came in the residency has been extended until the end of September now. This is your opportunity to get up close and personal with her work and pick up those one-off pieces that will be sure to bring you and any space they’re found in, more joy! See more of her smiling face over on here Insta @graceagnesart and buy her art here.

And, finally, in breaking news, local Artist Tim Owers has had his portrait painting of Matildas player Cortnee Vine,  titled ‘On the bench and on the cusp (portrait of Cortnee Vine)’ selected for the Archibald.  This is an incredible achievement for Tim.

In his words “The work seeks to explore the life-changing moment during the Australia v. France World Cup quarterfinal when Cortnee was called onto the field, after 104 minutes on the bench, and went on to score “the pen” that will be forever etched into our minds!”  What a moment that was and what an incredible artwork this is and talent Tim is!  The Archibald is showing at the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney from this weekend, Saturday, June 8 until Sunday, September 8, 2024.

Connect with and see more of Tim’s work here.

KEEP READING:

Find your inner artist at Pinot and Picasso Central Coast

Creative Spaces 2024 at Toukley Central Coast

s you’re out exploring the Coastie Arts Trail or as you come across a new and fab artist make sure to tag us @coastiesmag so we can share their work far and wide.