‘Local Faces’ Exhibition Shows Quality of Artists In Coffs Harbour Coffs Coast Coffs Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - February 19, 2021 Alyson Pearson at Alycat showcases local artists. Photo: Andrew Vivian. TUCKED around the corner in Park Lane, Coffs Harbour, is more evidence that the Coffs Coast is rich in creativity. The Alycat Gallery is holding its second exhibition, ‘Local Faces’, to showcase the work of Coffs Coast portrait artists. Last year, Alyson Pearson volunteered at Planet Art, in Park Lane, beside The Happy Frog, in Coffs Harbour. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au When the gallery did not open again, after the COVID-19 lockdowns, she moved into the premises to open the Alycat Gallery in October. Alyson held her first exhibition with the theme of Australian Christmas, in December. She was very pleasantly surprised at the reception from the public, particularly as she had not held a ‘grand opening’. Her current exhibition is a diverse collection of portraits from artists from the mid-north coast of New South Wales. Alyson timed the exhibition to align with the Archibald exhibition at the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery and the Culture Hub. She initially approached artists whose work she felt matched the ‘aesthetics’ of her gallery but she was approached by a number of local portrait artists and added an extra ten. Alyson eventually had to cap the numbers because of space constraints. In between exhibitions Alyson exhibits her own work and is very happy with her sales. She also frames prints with recycled hardwood and is hoping to find a local supplier. She said that visitors seem to appreciate the diversity of art works. “There are many talented artists around the Coffs Harbour area,” she said. The reaction to the gallery has been much more than Alyson expected and allows her to put more time into teaching at TAFE and enhancing her website. Alyson said, “Word is spreading and artists seem to be literally coming out of the woodwork.” She said the very successful ‘Local Faces’ opening night and overall sales indicate a very positive interest in good art in Coffs Harbour. By Andrew VIVIAN Opening night for ‘Local Faces’. Photo: Andrew Vivian.
