During National Reconciliation Week Central Coast Council is celebrating Indigenous arts and culture on the Coast with the annual Sean Lonergan Schools Project, Maliga 2019 Exhibition, plus a special ‘Colours of Country’ exhibition.

Mayor Jane Smith said Council is committed to supporting reconciliation through the celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

“Our annual Maliga Showcase provides a great platform for local Indigenous and non-Indigenous students to creatively express their own stories that connect country, identity and community,” Mayor Smith said.

“National Reconciliation Week provides a great opportunity to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture on the Central Coast and I encourage everyone to get involved.”

What’s On in Gosford

Gosford Regional Gallery will be presenting the different aspects of contemporary Indigenous arts and culture in a variety of ways for the community.

The ‘Colours of Country’ exhibition showcasing a collection of works from Central Coast Aboriginal Artists closes on Sunday 2 June.

The exhibition of works from the ‘Sean Lonergan Schools Project’, a collaborative project where Aboriginal artists have worked in residency with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous local students to create an array of artworks, will be on display in the Gallery for the community to view until Sunday 7 July.

What’s On at The Entrance

Council’s annual Indigenous Arts and Culture showcase returns with the popular visual, storytelling program for young Indigenous people aged three to 18 years.

The Maliga 2019 program incorporates an exhibition, workshops and artist in residence program to showcase the diversity of Indigenous arts practice within a contemporary and cultural context.

Maliga, which means ‘Shine’ in Darkinjung language, commenced in 2014 as a creative platform for Indigenous children and young people to express their cultural identity.

The popular program is an important platform for our Indigenous children and young people to express their identity and cultural connection. Indigenous art and painting is centred on storytelling and is a powerful tool to convey information, history and beliefs. Since last year, the program has expanded to include early childhood centres and community organisations, in addition to primary and secondary schools.

Engagement with the project has increased by 41 percent since its inception, including over 180 artworks submitted across a range of disciplines and mediums and we are proud of the amazing and creative works from all ages that make up the exhibition.

Artworks as part of the Maliga 2019 exhibition will be judged today by local Elders, Aunty Jenni McEwen and Uncle Gavi Duncan, with awards presented for categories including non-educational, primary school, secondary school and Mayoral awards.

The exhibition will officially launch today, Monday 27 May, at The Entrance Gallery, and will be open to the public from 28 May until 7 June, Tuesday to Friday 10am-4pm.

The inaugural artist in residency program, with Indigenous artist Jason Coulthard, was held in collaboration with six schools across the coast. The student’s creations have been reproduced into four contemporary designed street flags installed throughout Long Jetty and along Pacific Hwy in Tuggerah until 30 June 2019.

A series of free workshops on visual storytelling and traditional basket weaving will also be held at The Entrance Community Centre for the whole community. Visit Council’s website to book.

Key dates: Gosford Regional Gallery

Colours of Country exhibition - Friday 24 May to Sunday 2 June 2019

The Sean Lonergan Schools Project exhibition - Saturday 25 May until Sunday 7 July 2019

Key dates: The Entrance Gallery, Battley Avenue, The Entrance

Maliga 2019 Exhibition - Tuesday 28 May until Friday 7 June, 10am-4pm (Tuesdays-Fridays)

For more information visit centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/events