TAG Gallery at 13 Meredith Avenue, Lemon Tree Passage, Tilligerry Peninsula, Port Stephens NSW, formerly the Rural Fire Station, has an appealing space which lends itself to providing a wonderful area in which to show off local arts and crafts, a community space where unique works can be on show and for sale. This delightful, airy and light filled building with a wonderfully positive ambience together with an eclectic mix of display pieces makes for a country gallery feel and look, that draws praise from our many visitors both from our local area, and from travellors near and far. Its location is on right hand side on the main road as you approach the waterfront at Lemon Tree Passage.
The exterior of the building is an eye-catching lemon yellow, with red accents on the fire bell, and other points on the roof as a nod to its past history as a fire station. Colourful banners across the front advertise our hours and our workshop provision. When open, colourful flags are flown beneath the Australian flag, as well as a kerbside A Frame sign so you know that you have arrived. The building has airconditioning to add to comfort for both volunteers and visitors alike.
Are you from Port Stephens? Would you like to become a member? Would you be interested in becoming a social member even if you are not an artist? Are you interested in helping out in the Gallery?
Call in and look around, also talk to the volunteers who are almost all artists or artisans. Ask them about what it means to be a member, and if you like, a membership form will be given to you, most people take it home to consider the form and fill it out at their leisure, then bring it back when ready to get started.
Being a member involves having access to the Gallery in which to display your art or craft. It also involves committing time to helping run the Gallery.
How does it work? TAG (Tilligerry Arts Group) Gallery Inc. is a community not for profit organisation which is operated by a voluntary group of artists and artisans, and their friends (social members) for the purpose of relating, encouraging, and creating...creatives at play!! and also a place where their creations can be shared with the community and put up for sale, so that, yes, you guesssed it, we can create more.....
Several ways of being involved include,
- being rostered on at least twice a month for duty to manage sales.
- assisting with art and craft changeovers (where the art and craft are changed every two months to refresh the Gallery, on alternating months)
- enrolling in workshops provided by well known artists so that knowledge is shared.
- being involved in our social events, eg Gallery parties are always a good way to meet the Committee and to have a fun relaxed evening. Gallery Artisan markets are run twice yearly, Mother's Day and Christmas and bring a great deal of excitement to our year. Other events as they come up.
- other areas where involvement is needed is gardening, cleaning, maintenance. The Gallery is usually happily able to source from the great wealth of experience and knowledge from within the membership when problems arise. That is one of our strengths....ability within!!
History of TAG – Tilligerry Arts Group, was formed in 2003 by a small group of Tilligerry artists and crafts people who had seen the need for a local network to provide encouragement and support. Due to the interest shown by artists and artisans from further afield, TAG membership has expanded to embrace members from the wider Port Stephens and Newcastle area.
The move to the new Gallery, Nov 2017 – into the old Lemon Tree Passage Rural Fire Brigade Building, 13 Meredith Avenue Lemon Tree Passage – and initial basic refurbishment was made possible by a number of very supportive parties who have generously provided financial, physical and moral support.
Port Stephens Council granted a Licence of Occupation while Councillor Steve Tucker organized Council funds for basic building repairs. Donations were gratefully received from Tilligerry Lions Club and Club Lemon Tree while Mayor Bruce MacKenzie provided some Mayoral funding. Tilligerry Men's Shed, members and partners of members, assisted with a wide range of further renovations and repairs as well as providing the ‘muscle’ to move everything from one Gallery to the other.
TAG is very grateful to five Lemon Tree/Mallabula locals who provided us with their very welcome services. Lene Twomey of Norsk Design worked very patiently with Committee members to design and develop this website and then secured us the hosting services of Digital Pacific. Nat and Jim Robertson of JN Industries Property Improvements were long-suffering, adapting to the many changes of design for the glass windows and doors. Lauren Dennison, another local, Activities Organiser, Bunnings Taylors Beach who donated painting supplies and organised with Michelle Wilmott, Sales Executive Dulux to provide free paint.
We are indebted to Coastal Real Estate & Property Management, Tanilba Bay NSW, who have for many years sponsored our occupation of premises in Kooindah Centre. This has ensured our exposure to more of the community and greatly contributed to the growth in our organisation.
A very big thank you to all of our members and their partners who have also been so supportive.
