Shapes of the Hunter Gallery Opening Success
Published on 05 May 2026
Saturday the 2nd of May marked a lively and warmly received opening that brought the gallery to life from the moment doors opened.
A powerful performance by Wonnarua woman Kassidy Waters of Bangarra Dance set the tone for the afternoon, grounding the event in culture, story and connection.
The opening proved a strong success, with significant interest across the exhibition and numerous works sold on the day - reflecting both support for local artists and the connection visitors felt to the work.
Guests also enjoyed wine kindly provided by Lisa McGuigan, adding to the celebratory atmosphere of the afternoon.
Featuring works by Will Maguire, Kristen Lethem, Amanda Charge and Michèle Heibel, the exhibition brings together a diverse group of artists with deep ties to the region.
Showcasing works across sculpture, painting, jewellery and mixed media, the exhibition highlights the distinctive forms, materials and stories that define each artist’s practice. Together, these artists explore the landscape, culture and character of the Hunter through their chosen mediums, revealing the textures and connections that shape our shared environment.
Will Maguire, a contemporary blacksmith based in Elderslie, draws directly from the landscape, transforming salvaged steel and industrial remnants into sculptural works that reflect the relationship between natural systems and human industry.
From Gresford, Kristen Lethem presents refined landscape paintings that capture the shifting interplay of light, shadow and terrain through layered colour and gesture.
Michèle Heibel shares her perspective through a deeply considered body of work: “I created this collection of works in the hope that viewers will be able to step from artwork to artwork recognising and celebrating, or perhaps noticing for the first time, the beauty that surrounds us here in the Hunter. As I worked on this series, I quickly came to realise that there will never be a final work, and that the list of special places I would like to capture here on Wonnarua Country will never be exhausted.”
Newcastle-based Amanda Charge explores resilience through her jewellery and sculptural pieces: “My work considers resilience through seemingly fragile yet resilient silver forms that echo life emerging after drought. Unfolding as they return to life, each piece reflects renewal as gradual and uncertain. Reticulated surfaces bear witness to heat and endurance, while silver's soft glow holds both strength and vulnerability. Water-cast droplets preserve fleeting moments, shaped by memory of the first rain - the scent of earth, a quiet release. These sculptures exist at the edge of change, where dryness yields and life begins again.”
Shapes of the Hunter is a vivid reflection of the region’s artistic talent and the creativity that continues to flourish within it.
The exhibition runs until Saturday 27 June and is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Saturdays from 10am to 1.30pm. PACC invites the community and visitors to experience Shapes of the Hunter and the work on show.
For artwork sales enquiries see catalogue below or email pacc@cessnock.nsw.gov.au or call on or (02) 4993 4266.
Price List
Shapes-of-the-Hunter-Price-List.pdf(PDF, 10MB)
Image Gallery