AMONG the recipients of the Port Stephens Council Cultural Grants was The Port Stephens Community Arts Centre which received a grant to deliver skills enhancement for members.

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The grant has been divided amongst eleven of the groups operating in the centre.

The Bonsai group used their funds to deliver demonstrations from two Australian bonsai experts, Hugh Grant from Central Coast Bonsai and Brenda Parker President of Illawarra Bonsai Society.

While the Fusion group chose an Echo Dying workshop which explored how nature and all its wonders can be used to enhance their fabric crafts.

They were instructed by Metta Henderson on how to use mulberries, turmeric, avocados, beetroot, and rusty iron.

The Fusion Group reported that they now have “All the colours of the rainbow at our fingertips!” Meryl Miller is the Feature Artist at the centre from 13 November to 3 December.

Meryl told News Of The Area “My working life was spent as versatile, high achieving Human Resource System Expert specialising in Information Analysis.

“Using these skills, I held a senior global role with one of the world’s largest consumer goods organisations.”

During her working life Meryl used her creativity to bring reporting information to life using graphs and statistical packages, allowing management to visualise the future of their businesses.

Having retired and relocated to her slice of Paradise in Port Stephens five years ago she took on the personal challenge in January 2016 of focusing her creativity on developing her artistic side.

Meryl Joined the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre which has a wide range of multi-talented artists all willing to offer hours of friendship and encouragement, an aspect of Port Stephens life that makes the community aspect of living here unique.

Meryl has attended many workshops on how to apply acrylic paint, pastels and multi-media.

Meryl went on to say “My skills acquired during my working life have equipped me for the volunteering roles that I love taking part in.”

Meryl is the Publicity Director for the Port Stephens Community Arts Centre and she also represents the Arts Centre members on the Port Stephens Council’s Strategic Arts Committee.

By Marian SAMPSON