Lake Mac Easter school holiday program appeals to artistic senses

Published on 31 March 2022

Museum of Art and Culture Curator and Operations Coordinator Courtney Wagner and Visual Arts and Public Programs Leader Joanna Davies at the First Class exhibit.jpg

Major art exhibitions, art and craft workshops, sound studio workshops, virtual reality tours and an Easter egg hunt are just some of the activities on offer in Lake Mac as part of Council’s April school holiday program.

Lake Macquarie City Council Visual Arts and Public Programs Leader Joanna Davies said the Museum of Art and Culture (MAC) would become a hive of activity, as it hosts multiple holiday events.

“COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on our event space over the past two years, so it’s very exciting to see visitors reconnect face to face,” Ms Davies said.

Arts, Culture and Tourism Manager Jacqui Hemsley said the diverse range of activities would allow kids to learn, grow and connect. 

“These holidays will bring fun, social and inviting opportunities for children to enjoy outside of their usual school environment,” Ms Hemsley said.

“One of our unique events is a virtual reality program where viewers can see our region 250 years ago when the Awabakal people were the sole inhabitants.”

MAC Curator and Operations Coordinator Courtney Wagner said a major part of the program was the First-Class art exhibition, on display at the museum.

“The exhibition features 47 outstanding artworks produced by local HSC students. The artworks highlight big issues our youth are facing through concepts that are personal, cultural, political and environmental,” Ms Davies said.  

“Over the holidays, a panel of the HSC artists will speak at a public workshop, discussing the process behind their creations,” Ms Wagner said.

“There will be a skateboard workshop, so skaters can transform their boards into an eye-catching ride, and First-Class artist Rivvah Heywood will mentor an art workshop alongside an art tutor.”

Sound studio tutorials will be held at Warners Bay Theatre’s newly fit out music studio, so budding artists can capture their sound.

The theatre will also host a live music event on Saturday 9 April showcasing local talent during Youth Week 2022, which begins on Monday 4 April.

April school holidays run from Monday 11 April to Friday 22 April.

Lake Macquarie City Council’s holiday program kicks off on Saturday 9 April.

See the full list of events at lakemac.com.au.