Central Coast artists & makers find a home at Creative Spaces
The Toukley Village Green has come alive with colour and creativity, thanks to Central Coast Council’s Creative Spaces program. This exciting initiative is back in Toukley in 2025 and has once again transformed the gallery container into a hub for exhibitions, workshops, and artist talks. It’s an ever-evolving space where locals and visitors to our region can connect with our talented creatives in person, discover and immerse themselves in our rich arts culture and, even try their hand at something new.
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David Hough returns to Central Coast Council’s Creative Spaces in 2025
Back by popular demand, Central Coast sculptor David Hough has stepped into the Gallery Container once again – this time bringing new works, new energy, and his signature down-to-earth charm. David’s known for his detailed sculptural pieces crafted from materials like limestone, soapstone, timber and clay – but what really sets his residency apart is the opportunity to watch him work, chat about his process, and even get hands-on yourself.
In residence from 31 March to 27 June 2025, David will be creating live in the space, inviting the community to drop in, say hi, and see sculpture in action. He’ll also be offering his popular Clay & Play sessions (just $5 a pop), along with chalk and water painting activities that kids and adults alike can jump into. Expect a mix of large-scale sculpture, giftware, jewellery and one-off pieces, all available to purchase – so yes, it’s very possible you’ll walk away with something beautiful and handmade.
There’ll also be guest artists rotating through the space during David’s time, so no two visits are ever quite the same. Whether you’re a local looking for a low-key creative hit, or just passing through Toukley and keen to support local makers, this is a must-stop spot on the Village Green.
So here’s your official invite: art lovers, budding creatives, in fact, anyone who’s looking for a little inspiration, come on down to Toukley’s Village Green, step inside the Creative Spaces container, explore, and be inspired!
To learn more about the Creative Spaces initiative, visit Love Central Coast and Creative Spaces’ online home here.
And don’t forget – when you visit, share your experience by tagging #lovecentralcoast and @lovecentralcoastnsw on social media. Let’s celebrate the creativity thriving in our community.
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What other talented artists have graced the Creative Spaces Gallery Container?
Debra Meier
Earlier in 2025, the Gallery Container was home to the breathtaking work of Debra Meier, a renowned Central Coast watercolour artist celebrated for her delicate depictions of native flora, fauna and endangered bird species. Debra’s time in the space brought not only beauty but education, with live demonstrations, workshops, and artist talks designed to share her process and passion with the community.
From the fiery reds of Patonga’s waratahs to the soft golds of coastal banksias, Debra’s work captured the wild and gentle heart of the Central Coast. Her classes offered a welcoming space for artists of all levels to explore watercolour techniques, while her talks gave insight into developing a creative practice – whether for passion or profession.
Her residency may have wrapped, but her impact on the space (and the lucky locals who met her) is still very much felt.
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More than just an exhibition, this residency is an opportunity to meet the artist behind the work, gain insight into her inspiration, and perhaps even spark your own creativity. The Creative Spaces program is all about fostering a deeper connection between artists and the community, turning public spaces into places of artistic exchange and inspiration.
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Grace Agnes
From April to June 2024, the Creative Spaces container was lit up (literally) with the vibrant presence of Grace Agnes – a local painter and photographer whose work is a heartfelt fusion of her Fijian and Australian heritage. Her art explored themes of culture, nature, self-discovery and beauty, often through the dreamy lens of oceanic blues, layered textures, and bursts of colour that made the whole space feel alive.
Grace didn’t just exhibit art – she created an experience. During her residency, the container became a hub of creative activity. She ran workshops, painted live, captured pets in her signature portrait style, and even hosted mini art markets, installations and book readings. Visitors were just as likely to leave with paint on their fingers as they were with a new piece of art under their arm.
With her infectious energy and beautifully grounded presence, Grace’s time in the container was a celebration of creativity in all its forms – and a reminder that art is as much about connection and play as it is about technique. If you were lucky enough to catch her in action, you’ll know exactly what we mean.
Artists in Residence at Creative Spaces Container Toukley
The Creatives Collective is made up of visual artists, photographers and sculptors as organised by local photographer and Creative Spaces 2022 alumni, Zee Merven. With the idea of celebrating and giving a platform to a host of talented local artists.
The Creatives Collective lineup of artists and the dates they were in residence at the Gallery Container were as follows:
15 – 28 Jan 2024: Andrew Leontarou (Photographer) and Fiona Smith (Painter) show titled Fluid: the Sea and Those Who Ride It
29 Jan – 11 Feb 2024: Sonja Bella (Fine Art Painter) and Sahra Bull (Painter and Muralist)
12 – 18 Feb 2024: Carol Baldwin (Painter) presents Carol’s Creations
19 – 25 Feb 2024: Julie Anne Jones (Underwater Photographer) her show titled Below the Surface
29 Feb – 10 Mar 2024: Debra Meier (Watercolour Painter)
11 to 24 Mar 2024: Zee Merven, Soelast Soelastijono, TC Nguyen, Chris Dick (all Central Coast Photographers) with their Harmony of Habitats Exhibition showcasing Central Coast wildlife and landscape photography
The Gallery Container at the Toukley Village Green also saw a gorgeous exhibition by Fine Art Painter Sonja Bella (@sobellaart) and Painter and Muralist Sahra Bull (@sahrabull). These two powerhouses showcased some real artistic gems and their incredible work.
Families visiting Toukley and the Creative Spaces Container were able to enjoy colouring boho flowers and mandalas with the artists during various workshops. If you missed this, don’t fret, there are so many more creative workshops coming up at the Container as well as run by the artists themselves. So make sure to give them a follow at the links above.
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Creative Spaces moved to Toukley in 2024
The Creative Spaces 2023-24 program saw the gallery container relocated to Toukley Village Green from The Entrance and the lineup of creatives that hosted activities out of the space for the Creative Spaces 2023-24 program was second to none.
With the continued support of the Central Coast Council which provides opportunities for local creatives via the Creative Spaces initiative, they are enabled to shine by showcasing their skills, art and talents via the program and beyond. The presence of the Creative Spaces gallery container in Toukley is set to positively contribute to the cultural life and increase visitation to Toukley a benefit to local businesses and the community at large. As Council Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said; “Council was proud to have curated an engaging program that fills the gallery container with creative workshops, exhibitions and demonstrations.”
“Council is funding three visual arts programs to occupy the container for three-month blocks from 11 September 2023 to 28 June 2024,” Ms Smith said.
“The program is now live and is vibrant and dynamic, so we encourage all community members to explore the schedule and regularly visit Creative Spaces in
Toukley’s Village Green. There will also be regular updates on Love Central Coast to support the talent and creative ability of those within the community.
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Central Coast Creative Spaces 2024
Council Administrator Rik Hart commented on what an opportunity the Creative Spaces program is. Not only to our creative enterprises, by providing a platform to showcase their creative practice, but also as a platform for our creatives to gain broad support from the local Coasties community.
“The program has always been supported by the Central Coast, home to some of the country’s top creatives, from sculptors to painters, ceramicists, and designers,” Mr Hart said.
“The program has proven to be important to developing and supporting people working in the creative industries on the Central Coast and the value they add to the economy.”
Creative Spaces in Toukley
To kick off the 2023/24 season Studio 91 presented by the incredible sculptor David Hough was in residence from 13 September to 22 November 2023 at Creative Spaces in Toukley.
Coasties Mag popped into the Gallery Container to catch up with David. Not only did he exhibit his works, he had them available for purchase but David also created sculptural pieces throughout his residency. It was a wonderful opportunity for the community to see an artist at work. David was warm, and friendly and loved to chat through his process as well as let you know the background to individual pieces for those who had an interest.
Throughout David’s time at the Gallery Container, there were sculptural clay play classes on offer, in addition, David also invited a variety of local artists, makers and creators to hold rotating exhibitions. Aside from sulptural pieces for sale, there was also giftware, jewellery, and line drawings which means Creative Spaces doubles as a day out and an opportunity to tick off some things from the Christmas shopping list. Win, win we say.
Always with the most up-to-date goss, we here at Coasties Mag, so make sure you’re in the loop by following us over on the socials. @Coastiesmag on Insta and over at Facebook.
And, to find out more about each of the creatives set to be involved with Creative Spaces, check out the full program for 2025 here at their online home.
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Congratulation!