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By Dr Billy Gruner
The Hawkesbury Now, 2025 exhibition, curated by Diana Robson and hosted at the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, opened to a packed crowd and with good reason.
Featuring dozens of local artmakers across every imaginable medium from ceramics, weaving, pottery, and painting to sculpture, photography, and installation the exhibition captures the full vibrancy of contemporary art in the Hawkesbury today.
What truly stands out is the curatorial focus on the collective spirit of artistic practice. Rather than showcasing only individual artists, Hawkesbury Now celebrates the many groups and associations that make up our creative landscape. Until now, few would have realised just how many thriving art collectives and community studios are operating across the region each contributing to a powerful sense of connection, creativity, and pride.
Highlights and Standout Works
As visitors moved through the galleries, a number of exceptional works stood out.
Sally Blackwell’s woven raffia piece was an audience favourite, a beautifully evocative design that captured both texture and emotion with understated mastery.
Tasman Clayworks delivered one of the night’s most memorable displays. Their hand-crafted stoneware pieces highlighted the genuine skill and artistry required to handle glazes so masterfully, a personal favourite for many attending the opening.
From Hawkesbury Remakery, artist Kylie Giacomelli’s ceramic lights titled Lumo were another delight. These imaginative and high-quality artworks struck a perfect balance between fun and finesse, embodying the playful and inclusive spirit of the entire exhibition.
The first piece I was drawn to as a visitor was Mark Wilson’s thought-provoking work Redhering. A ceramic installation exploring contemporary issues of men’s health and body image, it was both visually captivating and socially resonant, a fascinating highlight of the show.
The piece I found really fun was the fiesty Allicia Hollen from the Ferry Artists Group, whose paper mache bird's screamed look at me. The artistry of the works bellies her serious art makers ability.
A Celebration of Local Creativity
The Hawkesbury Now Exhibition celebrates the diverse creativity of our beautiful region, bringing together groups and individuals working across painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, ceramics, glass, and woodwork. This event not only provides local artists the opportunity to sell their work but also invites residents and visitors alike to purchase original art from some of the region’s most accomplished creators.
A wide range of organisations are showcased in the exhibition, including the Macquarie Towns Arts Society, Ferry Artists, Friends of the Hawkesbury Art Community & Regional Gallery Inc (FOHAC), Hawkesbury Artists & Artisans Trail, Hawkesbury Camera Club, Hawkesbury Community Arts Workshop, Hawkesbury Remakery, Piggery Lane Studios & Gallery, and TAFE NSW – Media, Arts, Design + Entertainment (MADE) Western Sydney.
This beautifully presented exhibition is more than a display of talent; it’s a reflection of a community alive with artistic energy. Visitors can also take part in the special interactive room, designed to encourage everyone to create and contribute, a fitting tribute to the inclusiveness of the local arts scene.
If you haven’t already, make sure to visit Hawkesbury Now, 2025 at the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery. You’ll leave inspired and perhaps with a locally made artwork of your own.
For more information, visit www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au.
We look forward to seeing you there!
