Port Stephens’ natural environment is celebrated at the Arts Centre

THE biodiversity of the Port Stephens region is being celebrated through local artists’ interpretations of a ‘Flora and Fauna’ theme at the Port Stephens Community Arts Center (PSCAC).

The exhibition invites viewers to immerse themselves in the beauty of Port Stephens’ natural landscape, with artists capturing the vibrant essence of native flora and fauna.

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In addition to the Flora and Fauna exhibition, works by artist Meri Andric are on display.

Meric has been drawn to the beauty of her surroundings since childhood and enjoys expressing herself through drawing, painting and crafts.

She is inspired by the ever-changing moods and textures of landscapes, with her work creating a symphony of color and atmosphere.

Meri is a restless explorer and loves to experiment.

She shifts between techniques and styles, guided by the emotions she wants to capture rather than a strict adherence to realism.

Lines, shapes, textures and marks all become tools in her artistic vocabulary, allowing her to translate inner feelings onto the canvas.

Meri’s artistic journey was honed at the Nepean Art and Design Centre, where she obtained a Diploma of Visual Arts.

This experience enabled her to translate emotions and ideas into powerful visual statements.

Eager for further exploration, she subsequently embarked on a ceramics degree at Gymea Ceramic and Design Studio, graduating in April 2022.

Meryl Miller from Port Stephens Community Arts Center told News Of The Area: “Her work has graced numerous group exhibitions and competitions in New South Wales and Victoria.”

Now living in Nelson Bay, Meri finds a fulfilling artistic home as a member of the Port Stephens Community Art Center, where she collaborates and thrives with other creative minds.

The center’s current potter is Marilyn Dawes.

Mariyln has a lifelong love of art, especially sculpture.

A move to Nelson Bay from Sydney’s North Shore twelve years ago really sparked her artistic journey.

“Joining the Port Stephens Community Art Center opened up a world of creative possibilities.

“Surrounded by a supportive community of fellow artists who share her passion, Marilyn feels incredibly grateful for the opportunity to fully embrace her love of pottery,” Meryl said.

“But the most surprising twist came from a recent discovery in family history.

“By unearthing a line of potters dating back to the 1860s, Marilyn found not only ancestors, but also kindred spirits – women and men who shared her artistic calling.

“This revelation adds a heartwarming layer to her artistic journey, a legacy that is now being reimagined in Marilyn’s capable hands,” she said.

Admission to the gallery at Cultural Close in Nelson Bay is free.

Visitors are asked to participate in voting for the audience award.

By Marian SAMPSON