Port Stephens Deputy Mayor Leah Anderson said the one day event inspired ideas and opportunities for creative arts across Port Stephens.

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“In 2022 we held a similar event at the Murrook Culture Centre – the Port Stephens Culture Club. “There was so much enthusiasm and lots of great ideas,” Deputy Mayor Anderson said.

“We knew we had to keep the momentum going with a permanent, annual event for local creatives to get together, network and inspire each other.

“Yesterday’s program included a diverse range of guest speakers, along with tailored workshops designed to collectively seek knowledge and ideas from the most creative minds in the region.

“It was fantastic to hear about the amazing achievements of our local artists over the last couple of years and pick their brains for new ideas we can collectively focus on between now and the 2025 Creatives Conference,” she added.

Guest speakers at yesterday’s Creatives Conference included Tracey Callinan CEO of Regional Arts NSW, internationally recognised Newcastle artist Brett Piva, Paul Jakes of Salamander Bay Recycling, and Tim Kurylowicz Executive Director Eastern Riverina Arts.

As part of his workshop presentation ‘Artwork to Mural’, artist Brett Piva commenced working on a new mural at 45 Shoal Bay Road, Shoal Bay, in partnership with Precise Property.

The ‘Sun Rising Through Radiant Splashes’ project is an engaging and interactive work that tells the story of the movement of water in Port Stephens, and is designed to improve the vibrancy and amenity of the space through colour and innovation.

“We sincerely hope everyone that attended is now inspired to join forces in making Port Stephens a place where art and culture thrives.

“I know there’ll be lots of social and economic benefits that’ll come from supporting arts and culture in Port Stephens,” said Deputy Mayor Anderson.

The Creatives Conference was born from one of the key priorities in Council’s Our Incredible Place Strategy – a strategy for arts, culture and events in Port Stephens.

Within this strategy, Council committed to ‘grow(ing) the capacity and capability of our community through education, training and skills’, with the aim of building strong networks across the sectors which foster collaboration and education opportunities for the arts, culture and events in regional areas.