Nelson Bay Arts Centre exhibits Large Scale artworks Nelson Bay (Tomaree Peninsula areas) by News Of The Area - Modern Media - June 20, 2017 Meryl Miller of Corlette with her painting of Sunset at Roy Wood Reserve. PORT Stephens Community Arts Centre is going big. The Think Big exhibition is being held from 14 – 25 June and entry is free. Twenty local artists’ large scale canvases will be on display showing that local talent is more than up for the challenge of adorning the walls of both new and established homes. Alongside the large scale canvases, visitors to the arts centre will find woodwork, quilts, and crafts. The centre’s cafe is also open on weekends and all proceeds from the cafe go towards supporting the centre and its members. Mike Francis told News Of The Area, “This is an unusual event as the centre normally commits to displaying as many members’ works as possible and in the Think Big exhibition the centre is displaying works which are an exception to the rule.” “The centre is aiming to showcase the talents and abilities of artists able to create large artworks as this is what many people are looking for in their homes now.” “While the centre has 400 plus members, it is seeking new members and is offering three trial sessions at a range of workshops. If you are interested in developing your art skills, a visit to the centre could be the right start,” he said. Each first Saturday of the month there is a creative textiles workshop which anyone can drop in and join. The workshops are lead by Sheila Francis who told News Of The Area, “This is about working in textiles with hardly any rules; rough edges, feathers and experimental techniques are all part of the fun,” she said. The Port Stephens Community Arts Centre is located on the access road to the Fly Point and Neill Carroll reserve at Nelson Bay. By Marian SAMPSON