History of Tilligerry Arts Group (TAG)
A Creative Community Takes Shape
The Tilligerry Peninsula has long been home to a vibrant creative community. For decades, local artists, craftspeople and community groups found opportunities to meet, exhibit and share their work through a variety of local organisations and initiatives. It was from this strong community spirit that Tilligerry Arts Group would eventually emerge.
By the early 2000s there was growing recognition that the peninsula would benefit from a dedicated arts organisation that could bring together artists and artisans, encourage creativity, and provide opportunities to exhibit locally.
In 2003, that vision became a reality.
The Beginning
Prior to the formation of Tilligerry Art Group, Jenny Crosier was already bringing local artists together through exhibitions, classes, outdoor painting and drawing, life drawing and workshops with visiting artists. These activities helped establish the creative connections from which TAG would emerge.
Tilligerry Art Group (TAG) was founded in 2003, by Jenny Crosier and Pam Riddell, with Jenny Crosier serving as President and Pam Riddell as Secretary. Early members instrumental in establishing the group included Di Swain, Jeanette Fox and Judy Wilson who all recognised the need for a local network where creative people could encourage one another, exchange ideas and showcase their work, eventually becoming Tilligerry Arts Group in 2006 as the organisation grew to embrace an increasingly diverse range of creative disciplines.
The group’s earliest meetings were held in Jenny Crosier’s home, where members shared a vision of creating an organisation that would unite artists and craftspeople from across the Tilligerry Peninsula. From these modest beginnings, TAG quickly developed into a vibrant community of painters, photographers, textile artists, woodworkers, potters and artisans working across many different creative disciplines.
By 2004, TAG activities had extended to Tilligerry Habitat, where members displayed artwork and efforts were made to bring together several local creative groups.
From the beginning, TAG was far more than an exhibition group. As the organisation grew, regular weekly gatherings at the Lemon Tree Passage Community Centre became a place where members could paint together, exchange ideas, develop new skills and plan exhibitions and workshops. Within only a few months, membership had grown from nineteen to twenty-five members, establishing the strong community spirit that continues to define TAG today.
As interest continued to grow, membership expanded beyond the peninsula to include artists from throughout the Port Stephens and Newcastle regions while remaining firmly connected to its local community roots.
Growing the Organisation
During its early years, TAG established regular exhibitions at the Kooindah Centre while also encouraging members to participate in exhibitions and art shows throughout the Hunter region.
From its earliest years, TAG also promoted workshops and creative learning opportunities, encouraging members to develop new skills, share their knowledge with others and inspire creativity throughout the local community.
As membership grew, TAG continued to evolve. New creative disciplines, including photography, were welcomed into the organisation, broadening the diversity of artwork represented by its members and attracting an even wider creative community.
Throughout this period, the organisation continued to strengthen through the dedication of volunteers, committee members and supporters. Under the leadership of founding President Jenny Crosier and Secretary Pam Riddell, TAG steadily built a reputation as a friendly, community-focused organisation where creativity could flourish.
Communication between members was also an important part of the growing organisation. Pam Riddell produced TAG’s early newsletter, which was followed in 2007 by the aptly named TAG RAG.
A Permanent Home
For many years, Jenny Crosier worked tirelessly with Port Stephens Council and local representatives to secure a permanent home for TAG.
That vision became reality in November 2017 when the organisation moved into its current home at 13 Meredith Avenue, Lemon Tree Passage—the former Lemon Tree Passage Rural Fire Brigade building. The building itself had served the Lemon Tree Passage community since opening as a fire station in 1972, giving TAG’s new home its own long history of community service.
The move represented a significant milestone in TAG’s history. For the first time, the organisation had a permanent gallery where members could regularly exhibit and sell their work while providing visitors with an inviting space to experience locally created art and craft.
The gallery’s Grand Opening was held in November 2017, with Fire Chief Keith Jones formally handing over the former station and Kate Washington MP officially opening TAG’s new home.
Building the Gallery
Transforming the former fire station into a functioning gallery was a true community effort.
Port Stephens Council provided a Licence of Occupation for the building, while Councillor Steve Tucker assisted in securing Council funding for essential building repairs after many years of advocating for a permanent home for TAG.
Financial assistance was generously provided by the Tilligerry Lions Club, Club Lemon Tree and Mayor Bruce MacKenzie through Mayoral funding.
The Tilligerry Men’s Shed, together with TAG members, their families and volunteers, contributed countless hours of labour to renovate the building, complete repairs and relocate gallery equipment.
Among those whose contributions helped transform the former fire station into the welcoming gallery enjoyed today were Kevin Colman, Liz and Ken Meadley, Nat and Jim Robertson of JN Industries Property Improvements, Lauren Dennison from Bunnings Taylors Beach, Michelle Wilmott from Dulux, and many other community members whose generosity and practical assistance made the project possible.
TAG also gratefully acknowledges the generous donation made by Judith Wilson during the organisation’s development, along with the ongoing support received from many local businesses and community organisations over the years.
The organisation is also deeply grateful to Coastal Real Estate & Property Management, Tanilba Bay, whose long-term sponsorship of earlier gallery premises at the Kooindah Centre helped raise community awareness and contributed significantly to TAG’s continued growth.
Built by Volunteers
The success of Tilligerry Arts Group has always been built on the enthusiasm, generosity and commitment of its members.
Every exhibition, workshop, gallery roster, working bee and community event has been made possible through volunteers who generously contribute their time, knowledge and experience.
From a handful of local artists meeting around a kitchen table to the thriving community gallery that exists today, TAG has remained true to the vision established in 2003—to encourage creativity, support artists and artisans, and provide opportunities for the community to create, exhibit and enjoy the arts.
Community Support and Partnerships
The continued success of Tilligerry Arts Group has been made possible through the generous support of local government, community organisations, businesses and volunteers.
Over many years these partnerships have assisted with gallery development, building improvements, exhibitions, sponsorship, website development and countless other projects that have helped TAG continue to grow.
TAG gratefully acknowledges the support of:
- Port Stephens Council
- Councillor Steve Tucker
- Tilligerry Lions Club
- Club Lemon Tree
- Former Mayor Bruce MacKenzie
- Tilligerry Men’s Shed
- Coastal Real Estate & Property Management
- Christopher John Photographer
- JN Industries Property Improvements
- Bunnings Taylors Beach
- Dulux
Together with the many members, volunteers, businesses and community supporters who have generously contributed their time, skills and resources over the years.
Looking Forward
Today, TAG Gallery continues to showcase an ever-changing collection of locally created art and craft through rotating displays, featured artists and artisans, workshops and community activities.
Like many community organisations, TAG adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic before reopening and continuing its commitment to supporting local artists and artisans.
While much has changed over the years, the spirit of the organisation remains unchanged: to provide a welcoming place where creativity is encouraged, friendships are formed, and local artists and artisans can share their work with residents and visitors alike.
Life Members
Tilligerry Arts Group proudly recognises the outstanding service and dedication of those members who have made exceptional contributions to the organisation through the honour of Life Membership.
Current Life Members are:
- Jenny Crosier
- Kevin Colman
- Pam Riddell
- Vic Marden
- Judith Wilson
- Jeanette Matts
- Myra Bailey
- Diane Swain
- Pam Frazer
- Klazina