Happy New Year!

Over the holiday season, the Museum of Art and Culture has welcomed many people through the doors enjoying the art, activities and respite from the weather. Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted by the bush fire situation. MAC's opening exhibitions have highlighted the stories that unite us, human and cultural connection to the elements and generosity of spirit–all much thought about and needed in our current climate and conditions.

Looking ahead, 2020 at MAC will provide creative outlets and experiences for all.  We are launching new programs including Late MAC, MAC Saturdays, and a History Illuminated cruise series. Our free ArtSpace artmaking each Sunday, art classes for adults and children, teachers' days and HSC clinics continue.

Upcoming events include new evening exhibition openings, a talk with Mervyn Bishop, a Connect to Country cultural day under our yapang program banner and performances by Catapult Choreographic Hub complementing our annual First Class project.

We have a great line up of exhibitions over the next six months including touring shows from the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, The JamFactory and Artspace Mackay as well as MAC curated exhibition projects. For dates and details, download our November – June Visual Arts Program or pick up a copy from MAC or your local library.

Top: from a holiday art class at the Museum of Art and Culture, Lake Macquarie. Photo Neil Keene.

Art classes

Image: from a holiday art class at the Museum of Art and Culture, Lake Macquarie. Photo courtesy Neal Keene

January Holiday Art Classes

Dates 7– 18 January

Crafternoon, Paint a Mythical Creature, What Makes Us, Storytime and Craft

image: natural history illustration

Term 1 art classes begin on 3 February. Adult courses include life-drawing, acrylic painting, natural history illustration, drawing fundamentals and Wednesday waterfront studio. For children 6-10 years, Art Club is on each Tuesday.

A MAC fact

In the summer sun, we have been reducing our carbon footprint by generating loads of electricity via our 100kilowatt PV system–doing our small bit for the environment.

MAC Society

MAC Society Christmas luncheon cruise onboard the Lady Mac December 2019. Photo courtesy Maggie Hall.

MAC Society

Support the arts in 2020 by joining the MAC Society. All funds raised by membership and Society events support the development of the collection of the Museum of Art and Culture.

Image: from the exhibition we. wiyelliko, Jasmine Miikika Craciun Empty Water Vessels (detail) 2019, wire, wool made of recycled plastic bottles and merino, hemp cord, recycled plastics, broken china, two parts (indoor/outdoor) installation dimensions variable Commissioned by Museum of Art and Culture, Lake Macquarie 2019

Current exhibitions

us. universal stories

until 9 February

Looking at human nature, diversity and the things that make us who we are.

A MAC project curated by Meryl Ryan

we. wiyelliko

until 9 February

Elemental connections for contemporary Aboriginal artists.

A MAC project curated Donna Biles-Fernando in consultation with the Aboriginal Reference Group

be. (Your Collection) be remembered

until 26 January

Works by William Dobell, Margaret Olley, Tom Gleghorn and more from the Firkin and Komon bequests.

A MAC project curated by Dr Damian Smith in consultation with Rob Cleworth

A MAC experience

Enjoy a quiet drink, nibbles and a spectacular view of the lake.  Grab a cheese platter from the cafe, and enjoy a glass of delicious Hunter Valley Ernst Hill wine or a Foghorn craft beer. Gift packs of wine are also available from Shop MAC.

LOCATION

Museum of Art and Culture, Lake Macquarie
First Street, Booragul, NSW 2284

PARKING

Free parking is available:

• in the car park next to the Teralba Amateur Sailing Club
• along the foreshore in front of Booragul Public Wharf